Published on June 17, 2025 6:59 pm
Last Updated on June 17, 2025 6:59 pm
(JASON McFARLAND)
Members of the Effingham City Council Tuesday indicated that Kurt Davis will become Chief of the Effingham City Police Department upon Jason McFarland’s retirement as of the end of the month.
Davis began his law enforcement career in 2001 in Rochester. He joined the Effingham Police Department in 2004 and became Deputy Chief in 2019.
(KURT DAVIS)
McFarland started his career in 1998 as a deputy in Cumberland County, then joined the Effingham police force in 2000. He has served as police chief since 2019.
The promotion of Davis will be finalized by the Council at their July 1 meeting.
The Council amended the City liquor license to list all those holding at least 5% interest in a liquor license. Scott Ealy was approved as a member of the Tourism Advisory Board. A proposal was approved from Milano and Grunloh of Effingham for preliminary and construction engineering to add parking at the Thelma Keller Convention Center for a total of $70,000 from hotel/motel funds. A Downtown/Southtown TIF agreement with Fritz Krampe Enterprises to improve the former Home City Ice building at 601 West Wabash, with the City’s share of the cost of the $84,867 project at $21,216.75.
City Administrator Steve Miller presented Russ Leppin of the city water department with this year’s Employee of the Year award. The Council also recognized Ben Beckman with a customer service citation.
Council members approved a downtown/southtown business area redevelopment program agreement for The Office Pub downtown for $3,525 of the total cost of $14,100. The Council also agreed to purchase the former Hodgson Mill property along the interstate for $294,000 for the 1.64-acre tract. The property adjoins city-owned land.
City Economic Development Director Todd Hull received informal approval from the Council to retain Retail Coach and Placer AI to assist with retail development. New city commissioner Jake Niebrugge said he has worked with Placer AI in the private sector and is enthusiastic about their work. The indication is that the Council will work with both vendors.
The Council appeared favorable to bumping up the cost of sanitary sewer to allow more work to be done along Jefferson Avenue from Vine to Maple Street, and Council members seemed agreeable to another $110,000 allocation to the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance.
Hull also reported on rehabilitation work. City Commissioner Hank Stephens said he had hoped for more activity in the residential area. Council members said they will explore increasing the incentives to make the program more attractive.
