City Council Passes Fiscal Year Tax Levy

Effingham City Council members Tuesday passed the tax levy for the next fiscal year. The levy totals $4,875,864. The levy is based on a budget of more than $84 million.

The Council approved a letter of engagement with Bernardi Securities. The letter concerns refinancing bonds for the Effingham Performance Center and general obligation bonds for acquiring real estate.

Council members approved a change order of just over $23,000 in increased costs for demolishing the loading dock of the former Rural King location at Village Square Mall. AKRA Builders will do the work.

The Council approved an Effingham County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan that is being approved by the various government bodies in the county to make sure there is a plan in place in the event of an emergency. Also approved was purchasing just over $42,000 in street maintenance materials.

Council members approved a third lease extension agreement with Kirby Foods that will extend 15 years; approved an administrative procedure for handling claims under the Public Safety Employee Benefits, and approved an agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers for work on Thies Avenue next to John Boos and Company for just under $89,000.

The Council also abated the tax levy for the payments on four bond issues since enough interest was earned on the bonds to make the bond payments.