County Board Ups Funding for Fair Security

The Effingham County Board Monday voted to up the amount of assistance to the Effingham County Fair.

The recommended amount had been $3,000, but Sheriff Dave Mahon increased the amount for security at the fair this year, so the Board agreed to increase the amount of assistance to $3,750. 

The County has covered the cost of security at the fair for many years. Essentially, it's the County paying the County, but the money will go the sheriff's budget and will come from hotel/motel tax revenue.

The Board amended the appointment of Dr. Michael Williamson on the Board of Health to three years, rather than two years in his earlier appointment; and approved a plat of the third addition to Stoneridge Subdivision. The residential subdivision is located northwest of Effingham off Routes 32/33. The addition involves 12 more lots.

Also Monday, Vice-Chairman Dave Campbell reported there is now $52,000 available in the revolving loan fund for new or expanding businesses to utilize; Sheriff Mahon reported that Cody Hartke is now a fulltime deputy, replacing Tim Forehand who has retired, with Forehand now replacing Hartke as a part-time deputy; and Road and Bridge Committee Chairman Joe Thoele reported that the County will begin road oiling work in the middle part of the county in the area of the State Police Blacktop July 19-25. Tax and Finance Committee Chairman Rob Arnold reported that work on the budget for the coming fiscal year is beginning, with department heads submitting their budget hopes by mid-August.

The Board approved the release of a large amount of closed session minutes, mostly involving litigation, dating back to 2014.