County Board Approves 2018 Budget, Levy

Print

Published on November 20 2017 10:47 pm
Last Updated on November 20 2017 10:47 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN WITH CHRIS MILLER OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, WHO PRESENTED A PLAQUE RECERTIFYING THE COUNTY AS "WEATHER READY")

The Effingham County Board Monday passed a budget and a tax levy for the fiscal year that begins December 1.

The vote on both measures was 8-1 with John Perry voting No.

The Board cut it pretty fine on the budget, anticipating $792 more in income than in outgo. The measure totals $9,253,900 in income.

The tax levy is 4.98% above what was actually extended for taxes last year. That increase should generate about $43,000.

Once those measures were in place, the Board approved 2% pay increases for non-union employees, with the increases mirroring those won by union workers. The Board also approved a four-year contract with the local representing many of the Effingham County Sheriff's Department employees...the correctional officers, telecommunicators, bailiffs, process server, and office deputies. The agreement, which is retroactive to September 1, includes pay hikes of 2%, 2-1/4%, 2-1/2% and 2-1/2%.

Board members renewed property/casualty and liability insurance coverage with CIRMA at a $600 increase, and also voted to reimburse unemployment benefits in lieu of paying contributions, as well as voting to accept dental, vision and life insurance bids with all of the cost covered by employees.

The Board heard from attorney Tom Leach of Edwardsville on joining a class action opioid lawsuit against drug manufacturers and distributors. Leach and others are speaking to other public bodies about joining the suits. There is no cost to join the suits, with Leach and other litigators receiving one-third of any settlement dollars received. The Board did not decide whether to join the suit.

(RETIRING COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT STAFFER JOHN ASHBAUGH IS RECOGNIZED BY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN FOR 36 YEARS' SERVICE)

Board members recognized the retiring John Ashbaugh for his 36 years of service to the Effingham County Sheriff's Department, and heard from Chris Miller of the National Weather Service that the County has been re-certified for six years as a storm ready county in Illinois. Miller said just 30 of 102 Illinois counties are certified as storm ready. He said the designation could impact flood insurance premiums.

The Board hired Pictometry to do aerial photography for $75,000 to help with the land assessment process, agreed to participate in the Bicentennial flag raising ceremony at noon on December 4, and tabled whether to pursue purchase of automated vehicle locators for ambulance units.

The Board adopted guidelines for speakers and recorders at meetings. The guidelines are the outcome of a recent Open Meetings Act held for County officials and workers. The guidelines will limit speakers to 2 to 5 minutes, although the time can be extended based on consensus by a majority of the affected governing body. There will be registration for those who wish to speak, but registration will remain open until just before the meeting is to begin.

Board members made appointments to boards and committees, including Leonard Waldhoff to the Housing Authority, City Police Chief Jeff Fuesting as a public safety representative to the 911 Board, and Karen Luchtefeld to succeed Board Chairman Jim Niemann on the Ambulance Oversight Committee.

Also Monday, County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel reminded Board members and the public that the filing period for the March 2018 primary election will be November 27 through December 4, Phil Toops of the Public Transportation Network in the county said that a large grant is awaiting the network if a local match of $85,000 is obtained, and the Dive Rescue Team is reporting a need for additional divers.

The meeting was recessed until November 29 to decide on the vehicle locators for the ambulances, and to close the books on the current fiscal year.