City Council Votes to Spend ARPA Funds

Effingham city council members Tuesday authorized use of $1.7 million in ARPA funds for public safety purposes.

City Administrator Steve Miller shared the breakdown of how the funds will be utilized:

• Police: Squad Cars $51,525 each (10 vehicles) = $515,250

• Police/Fire Training Equipment = $60,000

• Fire: Equipment (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus – SCBA’s) = $334,740

• Fire: Communications (Radios) = $250,000

• Public Works: Street Sweeper = $300,000

• Public Works: Street/Sewer Vacuum Truck = $565,000

Council members also accepted a quote of $13,250 from low bidder Robert Simmons for the demolition of the house at 713 South Park Street. The Council declared the building as dangerous and unsafe in January.

The Council purchased Christmas light displays from two different vendors, one for $55,396 and the other for $17,455.54. Also approved was an expenditure of $18,876 for two years of maintenance on equipment at the Water Treatment Plant. 

Council members discussed and informally approved a 4% pay hike for non-union salaried and hourly employees of the City, effective May 1, with a vote to approve at the next Council meeting. It was also informally decided to raise the amount a City employee can make a purchase without seeking pre-approval to $2,500 instead of $500, with a vote to finalize the change coming at the next meeting.

The Council also heard from Kevin Mendenhall of the Robinson Lions Club and Jim Strange of the Altamont Lions Club, who are wanting to help re-establish a Lions Club in Effingham. 

Prior to the regular Council meeting, members and other City officials met to review plans for the budget for the Fiscal Year that will begin May 1. A vote on the budget will be coming in April.