Board Chairman Jim Niemann announcing proclamation with members of Effingham County 4H
Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Effingham County Board adopted two proclamations for National 4H week and National Farm Safety and Health Week, while also voting on changes to local incentives for tax abatements in Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone.
Board Chairman Jim Niemann announced proclamations for National 4H Week with members of Effingham County 4H, and National Farm Safety and Health Week with Julie Stephens with the Effingham County Farm Bureau. National Farm Safety and Health week is this week, and 4H week is October 2-8.
The Board also voted on changes to local incentives and property tax abatements for the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone. There was lots of discussion about who would benefit from the changes. The purpose of the change is to try to incentivize more construction of new housing to try to entice more qualified workers to the area. Representatives from The Krusteaz Company (Continental Mills) and Flex-N-Gate both explained their struggles with getting qualified workers to relocate to the Effingham area. They both said that the biggest issue is limited amount of housing available for those willing to relocate. Both representatives spoke in support of the proposed changes. On the other hand, board member Norbert Soltwedel said he was against the property tax abatement portion, stating it seems unfair to those outside the Zone who wouldn’t get the same benefits.
Members Joe Thoele and Doug McCain voted No with Soltwedel. Members Dave Campbell and Rob Arnold voted in favor of the changes, Member Heather Mumma abstained. As a result, the proposed change was voted down.
The County Board also approved $1 million in ARPA funds for the Effingham County Highway Department for a Townships Rural Bridge Maintenance Plan. The Board also approved an earmark of $1 million in ARPA funds to the Effingham County Health Department for an addition to the department’s building on Virginia Avenue and the parking lot. Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman stated the project is estimated to cost $1.5 million, and said the Health Department would cover $500,000 of the total cost.
Also voted on by the Board:
- Certified list of election judges for the November balloting
- Support for Manufacturing, Trade and Skills Day on October 6 and $2,000 allocation to help cover costs
- Childcare Research Committee granted $35,000 in ARPA funds
- Increase in election judges’ pay effective with the new fiscal year
- $8,000 in ARPA funds to Effingham County Dive Rescue for drainage system repairs
- Earmark of $146,000 of ARPA funds to CEFS for the Meals on Wheels Program
- $80,500 to CEFS for building repairs due to flooding
- $14,000 in ARPA funds to Effingham County Farm Bureau for a broadband study
- $35,000 for a drug analysis machine plus almost $47,000 including ARPA funds for a seven-year service agreement for Effingham County Probation Department
- Earmark of $300,000 in ARPA funds to the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office for upgrades to the recording software
The Board also announced the appointment of City Economic Development Advisor Todd Hull to the County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board and of City Fire Chief Brant Yochum to the Ambulance Oversight Committee.
Members John Perry and Elizabeth Huston did not attend this meeting.
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