County Board Awards Elevator Bid; Discusses Animal Control

Effingham County Board members Monday awarded elevator modernization work in the Effingham County Office Building.

Otis Elevator of Springfield was awarded the bid for $98,114. The Otis bid was one of four received on the work.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Kuhns, who has overseen work on the elevator since the Sheriff's Office oversees County properties, said the elevator modernization work is not the full extent of the project. Kuhns said there is work necessary to bring the elevator up to code. That work will involve the alarm system, wiring, lighting and upgrades in the machine room. Kuhns said, "We could have $130,000 in this by the time it's done."

The County has $65,000 available for the project, and the City of Effingham has offered up to $50,000 in Tax Increment Financing dollars to cover much of the balance of the cost. Tax and Finance Committee Chair Rob Arnold said any remaining costs could be covered by contingencies.

The timetable for completing the work is another consideration. Kuhns said it will take 12 weeks to manufacture the needed equipment, then more time to get the project on Otis' schedule. It's estimated the project itself will take four to six weeks to complete.

In the meantime, the elevator can be used. Kuhns acknowledged that the elevator does break down periodically, but can be lowered to the next floor and riders removed safely. He said work done earlier included safeguards so it can still be used until the modernization work is completed.

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Meanwhile, the Board discussed animal intake at Effingham County Animal Control, and whether fees should be charged for taking the animals in.

There are two trains of thought; the revenue would be helpful. However, some might not want to pay the fee and say they just picked up the animal as a stray and turn it in so they don't have to pay. Another thought is that some people wanting to get rid of their animals might just let it out along a county road. Then, the County would incur costs for going to retrieve the animal once it's spotted.

There is a grant available if at least 500 cats are in the population needing controlled. There was support for contacting neighboring counties to see whether their pet population can help come up with enough animals to warrant the grant. The logistics of how that would work still need to be addressed.