Lifesaving Awards Presented to Sheriff's Officers at County Board Meeting

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Published on September 21 2020 4:39 pm
Last Updated on September 22 2020 8:42 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham County Sheriff David Mahon presented Distinguished Lifesaving Awards to two sheriff's officers at Monday's County Board meeting.

Sergeant Philip Hardiek was recognized for his efforts to resuscitate an indivdual on July 2, while Deputy Brandon Murray was recognized for his work on June 23 to use medication to bring back an unresponsive individual.

(FROM LEFT, SGT. PHILIP HARDIEK, SHERIFF DAVE MAHON, AND DEPUTY BRANDON MURRAY)

Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Kuhns added that Hardiek is the sheriff's department's CPR instructor, indicating he was in the right place at the right time to provide assistance.

The Board also approved the Fiscal Year 2020 salary schedule for non-union employees. Board member John Perry voted against the amount of the pay increase for Probation Department Chief Managing Officer Cheryl Meyers, involving a 10% increase as ordered by Chief Circuit Judge Kimberly Koester. The other seven board members present voted in support of the pay increase. Board member Lloyd Foster was not present for Monday's meeting.

Board members voted for Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance renewal rates and dental/visual/life insurance rates. They also approved a one-year health insurance incentive and a qualifying 65+ benefit for one year.

The Board approved another one-year term on the County's Economic Development Advisory Board for City Economic Development Advisor Todd Hull, and approved a joint resolution with Shelby County to replace a drainage structure along the Effingham/Shelby county line.

Also approved was a Center for Health and Wellness Healthcare Services Agreement that allows county employees a $59/visit per employee at the employee's cost. It's up to the employee to enroll in the program.

County Clerk and Chief Election Authority Kerry Hirtzel shared that he has received more than 2,150 vote by mail applications, with the vote by mail ballots going into the mail beginning this Thursday.

Economic Development Advisory Board Chairman Dave Campbell reported that the County has between $18,000 and $19,000 available to businesses looking to start up or expand, County Board Chairman Jim Niemann said three individuals will be interviewed for a job processing COVID funding requests, and Tax and Finance Committee Chairman Rob Arnold said the committee would next meet on October 8.