Council Leaning Toward Large Enough Levy to Hire Officers

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Published on November 17 2015 8:36 pm
Last Updated on November 17 2015 8:36 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City Council appears to be leaning toward passing a large enough tax levy to cover the cost of four more police officers.

The focus Tuesday night was on a proposed 10.58% levy increase, which would finance the officers but also some infrastructure improvements.

Mayor Jeff Bloemker said Effingham has two major interstates, and also has a makeup much different than in 1970 when the current staffing levels were seen. Bloemker said he sees the need for additional officers, but asked whether a smaller levy increase would still finance the hirings. 

City Administrator Jim Arndt said a 9.5% levy hike would still generate sufficient revenue to cover the hirings, but would eliminate around $100,000 in revenue that could be used on infrastructure work.

City Commissioner Merv Gillenwater said he initially opposed the hirings, but said he did his own research since the last Council meeting and now believes the hirings are needed.

Commissioner Kevin Willis also favors the hirings, readily admitting that he is a former police officer for Effingham. He said, "I know what's going on here. I'm 100% for (the larger levy to pay for the additional officers)".

Commissioner Kevin Esker said he's having a hard time deciding how to vote. He acknowledges that even though the population isn't going up, a lot more is going on here.

Commissioner Don Althoff said he's not in favor of a tax increase. Althoff said the City might need more officers, but not four more. He noted the City owes a lot in pension payments and reminded that hirings not only mean additional expense now, but more in pension costs down the line.

Council members didn't give Arndt a figure to put in the levy document, but the matter needs to be on the agenda for consideration at the December 1 meeting.

Also Tuesday, the Council voted 4-1 against proposals from Mayor Bloemker that would've allowed alcohol to be served at functions in City Hall that occurred after office hours. The mayor specifically wanted to hold a reception for those who serve as volunteers on city boards and committees, with alcohol available, saying it would be cheaper than renting a location for such an event and easier for City staff to coordinate.

Commissioners, though, said such a move would set a bad precedent in that City Hall is a workplace. The Mayor contended that having an event at City Hall would lend it some lustre, such as an event at federal or state facilities.

(CITY POLICE SERGEANT JAMES DILLOW AND CITY POLICE CORPORAL KURT DAVIS FLANK EFFINGHAM POLICE CHIEF MIKE SCHUTZBACH. DILLOW AND DAVIS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER RECENT PROMOTIONS)

Council members congratulated two city police officers who've been recently promoted; Sergeant James Dillow and Corporal Kurt Davis. Dillow was promoted to replace Sgt. Mark Pike, who has retired, and Davis was promoted to fill Dillow's corporal slot. Dillow has been on the police force for 21 years, Davis for 11 years.

(CHIEF WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR MIKE ZIEGLER, THE CITY EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER, WITH MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER)

The Council also recognized Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator Mike Ziegler with the Employee of the Quarter Award. He joins City Clerk Kelsey Lock as a recipient this year.

The Council also approved a letter of intent with Obsidian Development for the purchase of the Effingham Visitor's Center. Obsidian representatives are working to land retail and commercial development in Effingham and they say the Visitor's Center is an ideal site. It's the same argument some advanced in objecting to the Visitor's Center originally being located at the site. City officials will now work on a new home for the Visitor's Center.