County Board Earmarks $400,000 in ARPA Funds for Early Childhood Care

Effingham County board members Monday approved earmarking $400,000 in ARPA funds for the county's Childcare Research Committee.

Alliance President Courtney Yockey said that $150,000 is being earmarked for incentives to childcare providers every six months, $150,000 is being earmarked for gap funding for those who don't qualify for the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program but are unable to find affordable childcare, and $100,000 is being earmarked for strategic business planning for childcare providers in the county. The plan is to ask the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation to administer the funds.

County Board member John Perry voiced reservation with the earmark and County Board member Doug McCain initially had some questions, but the vote on setting the funds aside was unanimous. 

County Board member Norbert Soltwedel said the committee has "come up with really concrete plans" for the project. 

While the funds have been earmarked, another vote would be necessary to actually release the funds.

State's Attorney Bryan Kibler told the Board he has formally submitted his resignation, effective Monday, August 22. Kibler has been appointed Effingham County Resident Circuit Judge. The Board appointed Assistant State's Attorney Rob Scales as Interim State's Attorney. The County's Republican Central Committee is expected to make a recommendation on someone to serve until after the November election. 

At this point, there is not a candidate for State's Attorney from either party for the November election.

Speaking of the election, County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel had the board members draw Monday for the terms for each county board seat for the next 10 years. The members drew for terms of either two years, four years and four years or terms of four years, four years and two years.County Board Districts A, B, E and H will have the four year, four year and two year terms, while Districts C, D, F, G, and I will have the two year, four year and four year terms.

Also Monday, the County Board approved $35,058 in ARPA funds for use on the Effingham County Museum and to use ARPA funds for work on the masonry on the County Office Building. Board members amended the boundaries of the City-County Enterprise Zone with the Effingham City Council and the Teutopolis Village Board yet to vote on the changes. Drainage District Trustees were appointed including John L. Probst for Island Grove, Larry Probst for Lucas Township, Kevin Miller for South Island, and Jim Westendorf for St. Francis Township. The Board also approved a bridge aid petition from Bishop Township.

County Treasurer Paula Miller reminded that September 2 is the deadline to pay at least the first installment of your Effingham County property tax bill to avoid a late penalty, Hirtzel reminded that Tuesday is Help America Vote Day to encourage people to serve as election judges, and Board member Dave Campbell reminded that about $60,000 is available in revolving loan funds for new or expanding businesses.