Douglas County Board appoints Ray to EMA Director

By Kendra Hennis
The monthly meeting of the Douglas County Board was called to order at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20 with all members present. 

During the consent agenda, the board approved the official appointment of Chana Ray to Douglas County EMA Director for a period until December 21, 2024. Douglas County Board Chairman Don Munson said that following their search they determined Ray was the best to serve the position. Following, in committee reports, the board introduced the new Douglas County Case Manager, Josh Stahler. Stahler said that he is now the primary contact for Douglas County and that he was excited for the challenge and looked forward to building the community. He reported that he is currently working with school superintendents for programs in the schools and will soon have a schedule in place for people in the community to come into the office for resources. 

Douglas County Health Department Administrator Amanda Minor then gave her report to the board. She said that currently 350 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Douglas County, with Phase 1A of vaccination having gone well. She said that they were now moving to Phase 1B of administration and asked for the public’s patience as the health department and Douglas County are currently only receiving a limited supply. She noted that Phase 1B was a very large group and that they currently had 450 vaccines and were set to recieve 300 more. Minor also noted that there were vaccine clinics being planned for residents 65+. 

Minor said that the health department was currently using an online registration for the vaccine clinic that is available on the health department’s website and Facebook page. She reported that people had to be registered online and recieve an appointment so the site was not overwhelmed. Minor again asked for patience saying that everyone who wants will eventually be able to recieve the vaccine. She said that the State of Illinois is also currently working with pharmacies and private practices to hopefully assist with distribution. Minor then said that the health department has received calls from people who received bills from their insurance for their vaccine. She said they are working to fix the issue and to call the health department if you need assistance. Minor noted that the health department is still completing testing at the site in the Outlets of Tuscola from 8:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and 8:30 to 12 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

The board also:
* Approved the December 1 special board meeting and December 16 regular board meeting minutes. 

* Approved the payments of the county’s financial obligations. 

* Approved the reports of fees of county offices.

* Approved the re-appointement of Judi Pollock to be the Douglas County Insurance Administrative Liaison until January 2022.

* Approved a recommendation from the personnel, legal, and management subcommittee for a $2,000 stipend for the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office for payment and reconciliation to be divided at the treasurer’s discretion for payroll and deducted benefits.

* Approved Resolution 21-R-1 setting the per diem rate rate of $.56 cents for Douglas cOunty Employee Mileage Reimbursement for year 2021. 

* Approved Resolution 21-R-2, an extension of a declaration of emergency due to COVID-19 in Douglas County. 

* Approved Resolution 21-R-3 adopting an emergency operations plan for fiscal year 2021 for Douglas County. Douglas County EMA Director Chana Ray explained that this is a plan for all the offices in the county in case there is a disaster or emergency. 

* Approved Resolution 21-R-4 approving improvement under the Illinois Highway Code Section 13-00104-00-BR using $282,000 from Motor Fuel Tax funds. 

* Approved Resolution 21-R-5 appropriating $349,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds Section 21-00000-00-GM. 

* Approved the appointment of Kevin D. Nolan to public defender.

* Adjourned until the February 19, 2021 board meeting at 9 a.m.