Jasper Board Looks at Tightening Budget Belts

Jasper County board members Thursday were updated on the need for fiscal belt-tightening for the coming year.

The Board's Finance Committee met August 23 to begin work on the coming year's fiscal blueprint.  Committee members agreed to ask County officials to reduce budgets by 2% for 2014.

Board members heard that construction work is completed on the CIPS Road and the Ste. Marie Road.  The roads will be striped this fall.

The Board discussed Ameren's variance request for the sale of the Newton power plant to Dynegy.  A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for September 17 in Springfield.  The County has sent a letter to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and Board Chairman Ed Mitchell plans to attend the hearing.

Board members learned that a CEO class will be established at Newton Community High School for 2014.  Students will be able to sign up soon.  Norris Electric will support the class.

The Board confirmed the appointments of Norbert Ochs to a three-year term on the Captain Pond Drainage District, Donald Clark to a three-year term on the Mint Creek Drainage District, and James Nix to the Ste. Marie Drainage District.