The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors met Monday, December 8th, covering a wide range of county issues including road maintenance, ambulance operations, conservation achievements, and county employee compensation.
County Engineer Report
County Engineer DeWayne Heintz updated the board on winter road operations following the season’s first snowfall. He acknowledged that several mailboxes were damaged during plowing and said crews will be more mindful during future storms. Despite the early-season weather, equipment issues were minimal.
With colder temperatures limiting outdoor work, the road department will shift into its winter routine of equipment repair, upkeep, and shop maintenance.
The board also scheduled a public hearing for December 22nd at 9:00 a.m. to consider placing a non-agricultural load embargo ordinance on 146th Street.
Ambulance Service Update
Ambulance Service Director Josh Hemminger reported 171 total calls in November, including 46 transfers from Jefferson County Health Center—figures consistent with typical monthly activity. He noted the service is running efficiently despite recent staffing changes.
Hemminger announced that on Thursday, December 12th at 3:30 p.m., the service will take part in a demonstration by Stanton Industries at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.
Stanton Industries is known for developing specialty EMS equipment designed to reduce injuries for both patients and emergency responders.
The device being demonstrated is a low-clearance, roll-under rescue cot specifically engineered for patients with suspected back or spinal injuries. The demonstration will allow local EMS personnel to evaluate whether the device could improve patient care and worker safety during challenging calls.
Hemminger also noted that the service recently lost three PRN (as-needed) employees but is working to replace them. Supervisors formally approved the hiring of James Hopton to help fill that gap during the meeting.
Conservation Board Annual Report
Jefferson County Conservation Member Shawn Morrissey presented the board’s annual report, outlining major accomplishments and progress on long-term projects.
Highlights included:
- Maasdam Barns Preservation: The conservation board played a central role in ensuring the historic barns remain under county stewardship rather than transferring to city control.
- Cedar View Trail Project: The board secured $144,000 through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and raised an additional $700,000 in outside funding to pave the Cedar View Trail. Construction could be completed this fiscal year or in the next.
- Habitat Grants: Additional grant funding has been secured for habitat improvement efforts.
Employee Compensation & Compliance Discussion
During public comment, Public Health Director Chris Estle raised the idea of implementing a countywide step-and-longevity pay system to create consistent staffing and compensation standards across departments.
The supervisors also heard from representatives of Carosh, a company specializing in HIPAA compliance and healthcare privacy support, as the county reviews current procedures and training needs.
Upcoming Public Hearings
The board noted that at their next meeting on Monday, December 15th, they will schedule a public hearing for an event permit application. At least two hearings will occur about the topic, with the possibility of adding a third depending on the complexity of the request.
Also, as mentioned before, the board scheduled a public hearing for December 22nd at 9:00 a.m. to consider placing a non-agricultural load embargo ordinance on 146th Street.
