County Board Receives Redistricting Plan

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID MAHON WISHES THE BOARD WELL AT HIS FINAL MEETING AS SHERIFF BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT)

Effingham County Board members Monday received a tentative redistricting plan.

Board Chairman Jim Niemann suggested these four items as parts of the plan: 

--the county residents continue to be represented by nine board members

--each of those board members be elected from distinct districts comprised of the same number of residents, to within plus or minus 10% of each other

--that the County Board chairperson continue to be elected by the County Board at the first organizational meeting of the Board after relative elections

--the Board review the per diem paid to county board members and finalize that amount prior to the filing date for candidacy for the county board this year

Niemann reminded his fellow board members that no census data has been received for the precincts. If that doesn't change by the July deadline, a commission consisting of the State's Attorney, County Clerk, Chairmen of the Republican and Democrat parties, and a representative of the Attorney General's office will designate the nine districts as dictated by Illinois law.

The Board heard from Jeff Fritchtnitch on a new Chamber of Commerce initiative to develop employees for local businesses through the Chamber Foundation. Fritchtnitch and Effingham County Alliance head Courtney Yockey also plan to meet with local legislators to see whether "red tape" can be eliminated to allow students more opportunities to go to work, and reminded of The Alliance's goals of more employees to work in county businesses and more housing where those workers can live.

Also speaking was local resident Brandon Pals, who shared his belief that the County Board of Health needs more oversight and suggested a whole new board.

Another speaker was Effingham Public Library Director Amanda McKay, who introduced new Effingham County Case Manager Kayla Schumacher. The Case Manager program is designed to provide services to those needing help getting back on their feet, with the services being adjusted as "different needs bubble up."

Also Monday, the County Board:

--approved new fire protection district trustees, including Steve Robinson at Edgewood Bi-County, Lindsey Mette at Montrose, and Jeffrey Evans at Tri-County

--named John Perry and Joseph Thoele from the Board to the Agricultural Area Board

--Charles Braasch for the Board of Review

--Jake Buhnerkempe of J&R Collision Centers to the County 911 Board

--Dr. Nanci Huels as the county veterinarian

--Sue Ann Minor to the 708 Board

--Norma Lansing to the Economic Development Advisory Board

--approved a $20,000 loan to Country Haven Event Center for the addition of a kitchen 

--approved a $2,000 donation to the Altamont Sesquicentennial

--abated a fee otherwise charged to the cities of Altamont and Effingham for GIS services

--approved a three-year agreement with Bushue Human Resources

--approved an Effingham County Chamber Connect membership

--passed a resolution on an airport capital improvement program

--restored a county board by-law requiring board members to attend meetings in-person unless ill

--approved Downtown Business Association use of the old courthouse parking lot for two food trucks beginning in June for two days a month

--awarded low bidders the contracts for road oil to use on maintenance projects

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon reminded board members that Monday's meeting was his final regular meeting as Sheriff, as he is retiring as of June 1.