County Board Approves Airport, Roadway Projects

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Published on March 19 2018 5:47 pm
Last Updated on March 19 2018 5:48 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN WITH 4-H YOUTH AMBASSADORS ANGEL HARRINGTON, LACEY THOMPSON, JACOB DOEDTMAN AND LEA THOMPSON)

The Effingham County Board Monday approved airport and roadway improvement projects.

A.J. Walker Construction Company was the low bidder on two projects and was awarded the projects. One, for $188,000, involves the removal of trees that are obstructions in the glidepath at Effingham County Memorial Airport. The other, for $486,000, is for an expansion of the airport apron. Work continues, meanwhile, toward a 900-foot easterly extension of the main runway. The extension will enable the airport to handle larger aircraft in hopes of drawing more economic development to the area.

The Board also granted a bridge aid petition sought by St. Francis Township. Erosion is threatening damage to a culvert on 1800th Avenue, a half-mile south of Illinois Route 33. Board member Joe Thoele said Teutopolis Township might also partner with St. Francis Township and the County on the cost of the work.

Board members approved the annual budget line item for Effingham County Extension. The measure calls for the same $94,000 that has been levied for several years. The Extension levy was approved by voter referendum a number of years ago.

The Board and other elected officials were recognized with plates of cookies by Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors during Elected Officials Week for 2018. The Board, in turn, recognized Effingham County Farm Bureau for marking its 100th anniversary.

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN WITH EFFINGHAM COUNTY FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT KENT MELLENDORF AND OTHER COUNTY FARM BUREAU OFFICERS AFTER THE COUNTY FARM BUREAU WAS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY)

Board members also approved a safety handbook developed over several months by a County Safety Committee made up of Board member Karen Luchtefeld and a number of County elected and appointed officials. Bushue Human Resources has looked the handbook over and a state association agency will review the handbook before it's finalized.

Board Chairman Jim Niemann presented a $700 award to FISH Human Services from remaining funds from the Illinois Counties Association, and an easement was approved along Airport Road for sanitary sewer installation.

Also, Board Vice-Chairman Dave Campbell reminded that $38,000 is available to be loaned to new or expanding businesses; new County Coroner Kim Rhodes thanked Sheriff Dave Mahon and former Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen for their help in making her transition into the office and mentioned that Johnathon Paholke and Larry Peace have been named deputy coroners with plans to make a couple of other appointments soon.

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel, the chief election authority for the county, reported that 585 people had cast absentee or early votes ahead of Tuesday's primary election day; and County EMA Director Pam Jacobs reported that a weather spotter training class is set for this Thursday evening at 6:30pm at the EMA Building off South Banker.