Jasper County Board Retains Patterson as County Engineer

Following an outpouring of support in the past two months, the Jasper County Board has retained Dick Patterson as County Engineer.

The vote was 11-1 in favor of rehiring Patterson.

In the past two months, a number of township road commissioners and other township officials, the Jasper school district transportation director, and employees of the highway department have expressed support for Patterson, several showing up at the meetings. After a closed session, the Board voted to retain Patterson.

Jasper board members also discussed contract negotiations with members of the sheriff's department. The Board reviewed a wage increase that would be retroactive to the start of the County fiscal year December 1. There were arguments that an increase would be hard on the already hard-pressed county budget. It was agreed to pay the Chief Deputy from the Courthouse Security fund and Sheriff Rick Britton will create two sergeants positions.

The Board discussed a remodeling of the 911 headquarters. It was decided to award work to Effingham Telecom for just over $10,000 to bury cables. It was also voted to buy two batwing mowers and to replace heart monitors for use by the ambulance service. It was also decided to send Economic Development Director Ken Larimore to an Enterprise Zone Conference, and to pass a home baking ordinance that allows home baking for not-for-profit groups.