County Board Approves Retirement Payout Policy

Effingham County Board members Monday approved a policy regarding retirement payouts for County employees.

Board Chairman Jim Niemann said the change means the County will wait 30-45 days after an employee's last pay period to settle the employee's account. Niemann said the wait will mean "the County doesn't get dinged by the IRS (as much as it might have)". He said there will be no loss for the retiring employee.

The Board also passed a resolution honoring the St. Anthony Bulldogs boys basketball team for winning the Class 1A state championship earlier this month. Neither Coach Cody Rincker nor the players could be present as they are already into spring sports activities, so resolutions for each team member will be taken to the high school.

Also Monday, the County Board:

--received plates of cookies from the 4-H Youth Ambassadors to thank them for their public service

--heard from Denise Willenborg and Tony Pals on conservation activities in Effingham County

--appointed Steve Robinson a trustee of the Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District

--postponed action on public transportation matters on the agenda until the April meeting

--allocated $750 from Economic Development funds to help pay for a County Community Wide Survey

--heard there is $45,000 available for new or fledgling business hoping to expand and increase their workforces

--heard that approximately 45 people have early voted in the April 4 election

--heard that a weather spotter class is set for the public Tuesday night at 6:30pm at the County Emergency Operations Center on Miracle Avenue