County Board Approves Tax Levy

Effingham County Board members Monday passed the tax levy for the new fiscal year.

The levy totals $4,735,850, with $110,000 of that abated by the receipt of personal property replacement tax revenue.

The measure was passed 8-1, with member John Perry voting No.

The Board also voted to earmark $250,000 in the budget for the County's new capital improvement, repair, or replacement fund. The amount was agreed to in November, but now the funds have been allocated.

Board members also engaged West and Company to do audit work for the next fiscal year; set the salary of Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt at 90% of the state's attorney's salary, which increased 2.25% over last year; and approved increases in the clerk and recorder fees for the first time in about 20 years. County Clerk and Recorder Kerry Hirtzel said the amount of revenue that has been charged is no longer covering expenses.

The Board approved remodeling in the Effingham County Government Center to create a lactation room, at no cost to the County, with new board member Heather Mumma securing furniture for the room from local merchants as a donation; reappointed Greg Koester as Effingham County Engineer for the next six years; set mileage rates at 50 cents/mile for County business; modified the Maintenance and Circuit Clerk union contracts to include personal days; appointed Mike DePoister to the ambulance oversight committee; and heard that a new vendor will help the County complete a loop through the city for the Effingham County Public Transit system. We'll let you know when the map is in place.

Sheriff Dave Mahon said he again will not participate in IMRF and health insurance, saying the moves will save the County around $20,000; and County Treasurer Paula Miller reported that the delinquent tax sale will be held Thursday morning. Taxes on about 150 parcels of ground will be auctioned off and sold for back taxes.

The Board also honored Pauletta Bushur who is retiring after 40 years of work in the County Clerk's office.

(PAULETTA BUSHUR WITH EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN)