The Clark County Board met in regular session on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Public Comment
Warren Le Fever addressed the board during public comment about the proposed ordinance prohibit sales of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products City of Marshall passed same ordinance. He noted that the problem with banning chemicals is that they just keep developing new chemicals.
Mr. Le Fever also suggested the board consider adopting another ordinance similar to one passed by Marshall’s City Council, which is aimed at parents being made more responsible for destruction their kids cause with vandalism.
“[It’s] Usually 3 to 6 kids that are problems within our area, year after year after year,” said Mr. Le Fever. “It’s different as they grow up they disappear as they move off to the city and go off to prison. When they’re young they tend to vandalize, and the parents just say ‘Well I thought he was home, I didn’t know he did that.'”
“You make those parents financially responsible, write em a ticket and if he does it again, it’s double, and it doubles after that, they just keep compounding it and eventually those parents will start to take notice, because you’re hitting them where they live.”
Highway Report
County Engineer Dallas Richardson updated the board on upcoming training for highway department workers in compliance with ongoing education required by Mine Safety Health Administration, MFT letting to be held January 29 and negotiations regarding road damage.
Resolution to ban sale Kratom & 7OH products
HRC Communications Director Jonathan Burns addressed the board regarding Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7OH) Products. Mr. Burns explained that the Kratom 7OH products are extract from Indonesia. Jonathan explained that like the K2, the “fake marijuana” these products are able to be sold at gas stations and vape shops as “not for consumption” or as “nutritional supplements.”
7OH, he explained, is a synthetic opioid which acts on the same brain receptors.
Susan Williamson, a Clark County Probation Officer, described how one of her probationers became addicted to 7-OH after a local vape shop recommended it for weight loss. The individual, who had a history of addiction struggles, encountered the substance sold as a “nutritional supplement” and developed a new addiction.
Jessica, a Recovery Navigator with Hour House serving Edgar and Clark Counties, reported that when she visited a local store to inquire about 7-OH, the clerk warned her: “Don’t buy it unless you’re already using it—it’s worse than heroin.”
The board considered the penalties for failure to comply. State’s Attorney Kyle Hutson mentioned that the board may be limited on how much of a fine they can impose. It was also pointed out that each day is considered a separate infraction. The board passed the ordinance.
ROSC Coordinator Bobbye Scott
Clark County Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Coordinator Bobbye Scott addressed the board to give an update. Scott noted ROSC’s new strategic plan, and mentioned being awarded new opioid relief funds which established a naloxone (Narcan) distribution locations. Over 250 boxes of naloxone have been distributed.
She noted that all area libraries have been trained (as required) on the use of naloxone and reported at least one life confirmed to have been saved thanks to having access to naloxone.
Scott mentioned that she has been involved in ROSC since it started in Clark County. She started as a member of the council of people who are in recovery and passionate about helping others find the services they need. She said that when finding recovery herself – no resources were available in Clark County. She had to go to Terre Haute for assistance.
Scott reported that ROSC supports five weekly 12-step support groups: two Narcotics Anonymous (NA) groups, one Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group, Al-Anon, and Celebrate Recovery. All groups except Celebrate Recovery meet at the HRC Forsythe Center.
Bobbye recognized ROSC’s new Recovery Navigator Jessica Parrill, who holds a wellness group once a week at Marshall Public Library. Additionally, she noted that Jessica is able and willing to meet with people at the jail. Scott also noted that Kyle Houser, who previously served as the county’s Recovery Navigator when Clark County was part of the Clark/Cumberland County ROSC formed in 2022, continues to meet with peers once a week through the probation office.
ROSC has also placed dispensing boxes called ‘Barneys’ at the Casey Public Library and the Marshall Thrift store.Wall-mounted naloxone boxes are located at the Martinsville Library, West Union Library, 121 Studios, Pilot, and Possum’s Purpose in West Union. All naloxone distribution sites provide free access and do not require payment.
When asked if she works at the Forsythe Center, Bobbye noted that they do allow her to use an office a few days of the week, but most of her work is out in the community.
Scott also reported that ROSC recently conducted a county-wide community survey, distributed through social media and at local events, receiving approximately 160 responses.
You can find ROSC’s strategic plan and other Council info at Recovery Coaching Network at GSU.
Old Business: County Website Update
Director of Information Technology Alex Carrell addressed the board regarding updates to the county website. Carrell reported that an estimate from EvoGov for the project totals approximately $11,500. He also noted that discussions have taken place about developing custom sub-sites for individual county departments, such as the Sheriff’s Department and the Ambulance Service, at an estimated cost of $3,000 per site.
Carrell reported that the county has requisitioned the .gov domain name, clarkcountyil.gov, and stated that progress on the website update is moving forward as expected.
Carrell also reported that a recent email-related security incident was identified and resolved. As a result, two-factor authentication (2FA) has been implemented to strengthen email security.
Clark County Ambulance Service Update
Clark County Ambulance Service (CCAS) Director Chace Bramlett provided an update on service activity and operations. Bramlett reported that call volume typically increases in December, with 195 calls recorded for the month and a twelve-month total of 2,138 calls.
Bramlett noted that CCAS has received an increased number of interfacility transport requests and reported that 115 calls were declined due to staffing shortages. He stated that the service would be profitable for those transports if sufficient staffing were available.
Board Chairman Rex Goble reported that he has been working with developers of the solar field project to explore funding for a purpose-built ambulance facility. The proposed building would include vehicle bays, bedrooms, a dayroom, and training space.
Bramlett reported that the paramedic chase car responded to 98 calls during the month. He also noted that mutual aid was received twice from Crawford County.
Call volume increased in Westfield, West Union, and Dennison. Bramlett reported that snowfall increased average on-route-to-on-scene response times by approximately 45 seconds, noting that responder safety justified the additional time. He added that 89 percent of calls were answered within 15 minutes.
December revenue totaled $121,970. Bramlett reported that Medicaid experienced a processing error related to mileage reimbursement, noting that the discrepancy is expected to be corrected and reflected in a future month’s revenue.
Bramlett also highlighted a pediatric call involving a seizure that progressed to cardiac arrest. He reported that, due to the rapid response of paramedics, the child survived.
The board was informed that a new ambulance is currently being remounted. Bramlett noted that the Martinsville ambulance has accumulated approximately 220,000 miles and has been costing several thousand dollars per month in maintenance. When asked whether purchasing a new ambulance would be faster, Bramlett explained that the county saves money by providing the patient care “box,” and that the labor required is comparable.
