City Council Approves $84.2 Million Budget

The Effingham City Council Tuesday approved an $84.2 million budget for the fiscal year that begins May 1.

The budget is down from a $91.2 million measure for the fiscal year that concludes at the end of this month.

The Council also established pay ranges for the various non-union salaried and hourly City positions for the coming fiscal year, and also approved a five-year capital improvements plan for the period beginning May 1. The expenditures for the coming fiscal year are estimated at just over $12.2 million. 

Council members approved a cooperation agreement with Effingham County for a street extension of Thies Avenue in the area of John Boos and Company, and reconstruction of Airport Road from US Route 45 east to the site of the new home of Hetzel's Overland Transport. Sanitary sewer extensions will also be part of both projects. City Public Works Director Jeremy Heuerman said the total project will cost $2.2 million. A $1.45 million grant has been obtained for the work, and other grant funds will be utilized along with private funds.

The Council approved an increase in sewer rates of 3% annually for each of the next four years. Rates have increased by 3% annually in each of the past four years. Also approved was the annual Appointment Ordinance. The measure includes naming Billie Bales as Police Communication Manager, succeeding the retiring Jodi Moomaw. There was to be appointment of a new city engineer, but the individual who had been selected for the job decided to stay with his existing firm. The Council also approved a $10,000 contribution to the Effingham County Committee on Aging to support senior services.

Council members discussed agreements with R.E. Pedrotti to maintain the SCADA systems for the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant in case of problems during unstaffed hours with a vote on the agreements next meeting. It was also reported that the playground equipment in Bliss Park cannot be used during the governor's Stay At Home order. City Tourism Director Jodi Thoele reported on an initiative known as "Take Out Tuesday", where city residents can enter for a chance to win a gift card. The program began today.