County Board Approves Allocation of Fireworks Funds

(JOYCE NIEBRUGGE WAS HONORED BY THE COUNTY BOARD ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER 24 YEARS' SERVICE IN THE CIRCUIT CLERK'S OFFICE. COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN MADE THE PRESENTATION)

The Effingham County Board Monday approved a method for allocating funds generated by the sale of fireworks in the county.

A permit fee is being charged, and Board Chairman Jim Niemann said action was needed to make sure those training in safe fireworks sales need to be compensated.

The Board finalized a new three-year contract with Laborers Local 1197 representing employees in the State's Attorney and Circuit Clerk offices. The agreement is retroctive to the start of the fiscal year this past December 1 and includes a 2% pay hike each year.

Board members approved a grant application seeking funding for a $397,000 purchase of five 14-passenger vans and two minivans for the county transportation system, and also passed a resolution asking for more consideration in a planned reduction in funding for the county system. Board member Rob Arnold voted No on the measure, saying he couldn't reconcile voting for the resolution with his earlier vote supporting efforts by Governor Rauner to bring the State's fiscal house in order.

The Board amended the coroner's office budget to reflect the purchase of a vehicle with funds already available in the budget; agreed to again abate the GIS intergovernmental fee with the cities of Effingham and Altamont as a goodwill gesture to the two communities; approved a new three-year agreement with county schools for supplying sheriff's deputies as School Resource Officers with the share paid by the districts increasing in each of the next three years; and okayed appointments to various boards and committes, including Charles Siler to the Board of Health, John Gillmore as a trustee to the Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District, Charles Braasch to the County Board of Review; Dr. James Gratz as the County Veterinarian; and Carolyn Willenburg and Joe Thoele to the Ag Area Assessment Committee.

The County Board also honored Joyce Niebrugge on her retirement after 24 years working in the Effingham County Circuit Clerk's Office. Joyce began her duties under Jane Schuette and also worked for Becky Jansen before completing her years of service for John Niemerg.