Park Board Passes 2023 Tax Levy

Effingham Park Board commissioners passed the tax levy for the fiscal year Wednesday night.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff said the total levy is estimated at $1,425,314, which is "a little over last year". Althoff said the additional revenue generated by the end of the city's original Tax Increment Financing district helped, and said some items in the levy were even reduced due to sufficient balances in those areas.

The Park Board also received no comments from the public at their hearing on the proposed sale of up to $750,000 in bonds. The revenue from the bond sale pays for capital improvements in the district. Tax revenue is then used to pay off the bonds. Final action on the bond sale will take place at a special meeting later this month.

Althoff reported that 90% of the fencing is in place for the Evergreen Bark Park at Evergreen Hollow Park. City crews assisted Park District workers on concrete pouring that was completed Wednesday. Althoff is hopeful that the dog park will be up and running by the first of the year.

A report from Rink Management indicated that membership at the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex is up by 200 members from last year.