County Board Learns 377 Board Membership Can't be Increased

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Published on February 12 2016 10:59 am
Last Updated on February 12 2016 11:00 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham County Board was to consider expanding the number of seats on the County 377 Board. The expansion would allow a recently-displaced 377 Board member to be returned to the Board. The move to expand membership, though, has been thwarted after the County Board found that state statute caps the number of members on the board at five.

The issue of membership on the 377 Board was addressed at last month's County Board meeting, when the Board voted 5-4 to appoint Sue Heth to the 377 Board in place of Mike Tate. The move was made despite a letter from 377 Board Chairman Jerry Jansen and member Faith Griffin urging Tate's reappointment. The letter was not read at the County Board meeting. Jansen was out-of-town, but said he would have returned to Effingham for the meeting had he known there was an issue.

The 377 Board met this week and reviewed a letter and proposal regarding the number of members from County Board member Rob Arnold.

In his letter, Arnold wrote that he hesitated on recommending Tate for another term on the 377 Board. He said his decision was based on perception that membership might have too many ties to Community Support Systems, the former ARC Community Support Systems. Arnold wrote, "As a board member, it is our responsibility to look and decide what is fair and balanced for the community. It was not an indication on how I felt toward Mike, but more concerned with perception of board representation. I was wrong. I knew in being a member of the 377 Board that they are fair. They have represented the County with professionalism and class. When reviewing requests from potential agencies, the 377 Board gave clear and direct communication to all parties on what the requirements are, and what needed to be done. Perception is not always reality. Hindsight is 20/20. I wish I would have done the right thing and nominated Mike (Tate) back into this spot."

Arnold also indicated no ill will toward Heth. He indicated Jansen as chairman of the 377 board contacted each county board member to ask that Tate be put back on the board, and als said he would "love to have Sue on the 377 Board, but not at the expense of losing Mike."

That led Arnold to suggest increasing the number of 377 Board members from five to seven, accommodating Heth and Tate and his own seat on the Board. As mentioned, though, a larger membership board is not an option.

As to the 377 Board itself, Arnold wrote, "I made a comment at the January County Board meeting that this (377) Board had issues. I misspoke. What I wanted to say was that I want to increase the Board size from 5 to 7 (members). That is the only issue I had. My statement painted the 377 Board in a questionable light. That is not the case at all."

Arnold also wrote, "I have learned a lesson from this. Listen to your head, but trust your heart."

County Board Chairman Jim Niemann Friday said he isn't certain whether the issue be considered at this month's meeting, since it will be later this year before the 377 Board meets again.

At this week's 377 Board meeting, several County Board members and members of the County 708 Board were present to hear from Jeff Lahr of the Illinois Association of County 377 Boards on state guidelines for distribution and use of funds. The 377 Board voted to join the state association at no cost for the first year.

The Board also received a mid-year report from Community Support Systems Executive Director Andy Kistler that CSS had scored 100% on their licensing and certification.