Campbell Shares About Failed Tax Referendum on One School Administrator

We reported earlier that the Effingham County Board on a 5-4 vote Monday decided against placing an advisory referendum on the November election ballot regarding one school administrator for all public schools in the county.

County Board Vice-Chairman Dave Campbell suggested the referendum and talked with News Director Greg Sapp about why he pursued the proposal...

A couple of school districts in northwestern Illinois have pursued the one administrator idea, as have some schools in western states.

In other business Monday, the county board heard from State Senator Sam McCann who is a candidate for governor in November; accepted financial statements from West and Company and extended the contract for audit services with West and Company for another year; agreed to let the City of Effingham place four ornaments on the old Courthouse lawn this Christmas season; approved on a split vote a copy machine maintenance contract with Tap Business Systems for another year; and approved an Effingham County food ordinance that will take effect later. Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman said adopting the ordinance now gives his agency time to educate food establishments about it before it takes effect.

The Board approved new document storage fees and new court automation fees to be charged in the Circuit Clerk's office to help cover increased costs in the office. The new fees are $25, with the exception of over-the-counter fees remaining at $5. Also approved was the allocation of personal property replacement tax revenue, and the list of County holidays in 2019. Chairman Jim Niemann said he has already conveyed to the County Chamber of Commerce that a Saturday/Sunday setting for the EffingHAM-JAM would be much more preferable than the Friday/Saturday schedule this year that led to the County closing its offices due to traffic in parking areas downtown.

Campbell reminded that there is now more than $45,000 available in a revolving loan fund for new or expanding businesses to tap into, Thoele reminded that work has begun to reconstruct the road running south out of Teutopolis to Route 33 that will qualify the roadway as a truck route. 

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN AND NANCY STEAD)

The Board also recognized Nancy Stead for 25 years' service in the County Clerk and Recorder office.