Sangamon Sun

Hancock County Health and Miscellaneous Committee met Dec. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The meeting was called to order by chairman Harry Douglas. Members in attendance include Steve Finney, Michelle Merritt, Joe Boyles, Steve Lucie, Mark Menn, and Josh Turner. Mark Harrison was absent. Visitors included Wayne Bollin, Raigan Brown, Bobi James and Aaron Feagain.  

There was discussion about leaving the meeting scheduled for the first Monday of the month except on holidays which would then be moved to the first Wednesday of the month.  

Ms. Brown spoke about the agreement between Hancock County EMS and Memorial Hospital. They are in negotiations. There was a lengthy discussion regarding this. Mr. Feagain asked the committee what they thought. Mr. Lucie stated he supported Mr. Feagain. Mr. Douglas agreed and supports the negotiation team.  

The animal report was gone over. The process seems to be working in some municipalities.  

There was an email sent from the Hamilton Board regarding spay, neutering, rabies, and other expenses of cats and dogs. In Hamilton’s ordinance it states that expenses of examination during lockup is the owner’s responsibility.  

Ms. Croy from the Health Department did not have anything to report to the committee. They are looking in to hiring a new director.

The ESDA report was passed around. Mr. Lucie stated Mr. Totten did a great job during the power outage at the courthouse.   

Mr. Menn will draft a letter to all department heads to try to make it to the appropriate committees to give reports.

Motion to go into executive session pertaining to an employee was made by Mr. Lucie at 7:15 p.m., Mr. Boyles seconded. All members present voted aye. Ms. Merritt moved to go out of executive session at 7:49 p.m. Mr. Finney seconded. All members present voted aye.

All members except for Ms. Merritt voted yes for Mr. Feagain’s proposal from executive session pertaining to an employee.

Mr. Feagain went over the EMS report.  There were 109 responses, 91 billable, 79 transports, 31 transfers for the hospital. EMS has been short 3 medics for 7 months. He has 2 in paramedic class but will not be completed until the fall of 2025, January 2026. They need to be out of the building by June 2025. The contractor is starting work on the building on January 21, 2025.  

Mr. Lucie had spoken to Ms. James about the county’s role with the health department. The county can levy their money and approve their board members. We can also unseat a member.  

Ms. Merritt made a motion to recess until January 6, 2024, and Mr. Finney seconded the motion. All members present voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.

https://hancockcounty-il.gov/health-minutes-dec-2024/