County Board Rejects Changes to Enterprise Zone Incentives

It's back to the drawing board for proposed changes in the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone.

The Effingham County Board rejected an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement and modifications to local incentives and property tax abatements for the zone. Board member Norbert Soltwedel said he was against the property tax abatement portion of the changes, saying it was unfair to those outside the Zone who wouldn't get the same benefits. Members Joe Thoele and Doug McCain also voted No. Members Dave Campbell and Rob Arnold voted in favor of the changes, Member Heather Mumma abstained from the vote, Board Chairman Jim Niemann doesn't typically vote unless in case of a tie, and Members John Perry and Elizabeth Huston didn't attend the meeting.

Those supporting the changes believe it could promote more construction of living space, which they believe would lead to more people needed in the workforce to move to the area.

Representatives of Flex N Gate and of The Krusteaz Company, formerly Continental Mills, spoke in support of the proposed changes in hopes it would allow more living space and more employees. 

Also Monday, the County Board approved $1 million in ARPA funds for the Effingham County Highway Department for a Townships Rural Bridge Maintenance Plan. County Engineer Greg Koester said the funds will be allocated to the 15 townships in the county based on the mileage and EAV in each township.

The Board also approved an earmark of $1 million in ARPA funds to the Effingham County Health Department for an addition to the department's building on Virginia Avenue and the parking lot. Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman said the project is estimated to cost $1.5 million, and said $500,000 in current health department revenue would cover the balance of the project cost.

(A GROUP OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY 4-H MEMBERS WERE PRESENT FOR MONDAY'S COUNTY BOARD FOR THE PROCLMATION OF 4-H WEEK FOR 2022)

Also voted on Monday by the Board:

--a certified list of election judges for the November balloting

--support for Manufacturing, Trade and Skills Day on October 6 and a $2,000 allocation to help cover the costs of the event

--disbursement of just over $35,000 in ARPA funds to the Childcare Research Committee

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY FARM BUREAU JULIE STEPHENS WAS ON HAND FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK, LOOKING ON AS COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN READ THE PROCLAMATION)

--an increase in election judges' pay effective with the new county fiscal year in December

--the salary for whoever is elected county sheriff in the November vote

--the Health Alliance insurance rates

--dental/vision/life insurance renewal rates recommended by the Health Insurance Advisory Committee

--a one-year health insurance incentive, and a one-year qualifying 65+ benefit

--an earmark of $146,000 of ARPA funds to CEFS for the Meals on Wheels Program

--approval of $80,500 to CEFS for building repairs due to flooding, which is about half of what CEFS was hoping for

--approval of just more than $14,000 in ARPA funds to Effingham County Farm Bureau for a broadband study

--approval of $8,000 in ARPA funds to Effingham County Dive Rescue for drainage system repairs

--$35,000 for a drug analysis machine plus almost $47,000 including ARPA funds for a seven-year service agreement for Effingham County Probation Department

--earmark of $300,000 in ARPA funds to the County Clerk and Recorder's Office for upgrades to the recording software

--appointment of City Economic Development Advisor Todd Hull to the County Economic Opportunity Advisory Board and of City Fire Chief Brant Yochum to the Ambulance Oversight Committee.

The County Board also approved bridge aid petitions for projects in Jackson Township and Moccasin Township, and an intergovernmental grant agreement on Airport Road.

Board members also accepted a request for proposal for roof work on the County Office Building downtown, and tabled action on audit services with a decision to follow on seeking proposals or seeking a one-year extension in the agreement with current vendor West and Company.

The Board approved National 4-H Week in the county, as well as National Farm Safety and Health Week. 

County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel reminded that Early Voting for the November election will begin September 29, and Board member Rob Arnold reminded that work on the budget for the coming year will begin September 22.