In a short meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 12, the Henry County Board learned the historic preservation agency Landmarks Illinois will contribute $50,000 towards the courthouse clock tower repair, part of the $2.8 million project to repair the exterior of the 1880 Henry County Courthouse, in Cambridge.
A citizens’ committee has been working towards passage of the 1/4-cent sales tax referendum for the courthouse repairs which will be on the Feb. 2 ballot. County board members, elected officials and appointed officials were sent letters asking them to donate to the referendum’s advertising expenses. Contributions have been received from all three groups, administration committee chairman Tom Steele told the board.
The new federal prison at Thomson should have no impact on the ability of Henry County to draw federal prisoners, according to public safety chair Kippy Nelson. Committee member James Kursock said the federal prisoners who come to the Henry County Jail haven’t been convicted but are awaiting trial. Nelson said December saw an average of 26 out-of-county jail inmates; the board is looking for 31 or 32.
At least a few county board members seem to be doing with less. In November, finance committee chairman Pat Ripperger asked board members to voluntarily attend the first meeting of the new fiscal year in December without pay. She reported Tuesday that five board members had not turned in requests for meeting payments, and several others who did turn them in said they forgot about Ripperger’s request and wanted to comply.
She said some people didn’t turn in mileage or payment for attending committee meetings, as well.
The board approved $4,000 worth of new computer software to regulate jail plumbing.
