Jasper County Finalizes Contracts on Courthouse Replacement Project

Jasper County board members have finalized architectural and engineering services agreements for a new courthouse in Newton.

The agreement is with Architecture and Design Group, and Stone and Waggoner Consulting Engineers. The contractor and engineers were chosen by the Board at their March meeting, but now the agreements have been finalized.

The new building will be constructed at the same location.

The Jasper Board tabled action on salaries for the county offices to be filled by the November election. Those salaries for the coming term must be decided six months before the new terms begin on December 1. The Board will decide the salaries at their May meeting.

Board members adopted a symbolic resolution that the County will not spend or accept any tax money to support or house immigrants in the county illegally.

The Board also finalized changes to the Olney/Richland County/Newton/Jasper County Enterprise Zone. The zone boundaries were allowed to expand with those expansions occurring in Newton, Ste. Marie and Olney. Incentives for expanding or developing in the Zone were also updated. The changes have to be approved by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Board members also renewed an annual contract with Kemper's Technology Consulting to provide Jasper County with IT services.