Published on July 1, 2025 8:13 pm
Last Updated on July 1, 2025 8:13 pm
(JAMI DAVIS PINNED THE CHIEF’S EMBLEMS ON HER HUSBAND, NEW POLICE CHIEF KURT DAVIS)
Kurt Davis was sworn in as Effingham’s new police chief at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
Davis moves up from Deputy Chief following the retirement of Jason McFarland, who was present for the swearing-in ceremony, along with a huge number of law enforcement officers from the area.
Davis was sworn in by City Clerk Abbey Nosbisch. Davis’ wife, Jami, then pinned her husband with his chief’s badge and their two daughters removed his deputy’s badge and insignia and placed the chief’s insignia on him.
Davis’ family, like that of McFarland, has borne several generations of law enforcement officers.
Also Tuesday, the Council discussed a proposed addition of 639 acres of land into the City/County Enterprise Zone. Economic Development Specialist Sasha Althoff said a number of factors led to the proposed addition to the Zone. The City’s original TIF District has expired, not leaving many options to entice development in that area. The City is looking at development of residences along Heritage Avenue. Ruholl Trailer Sales is hoping to get their property into the Zone. Also, some existing homes are being knocked down and could be targeted as new home sites.
The property targeted for the zone totals about an acre in size. Althoff said the process involves a public hearing in Effingham on July 14, a similar hearing in Teutopolis later in the month, and then filing the plan with the State by the end of the month.
The Council also talked further about selling two lots on the southwest corner of Fayette and Willow as a new location for Wright at Home Interiors. The 9,750 square foot parcel would be sold by the City to Wright’s for $190,000. Wright at Home’s existing building will be taken down as part of the Fayette Avenue reconstruction project.
A grant to help pay for construction of 171 new parking spaces for Keller Convention Center was discussed. Commissioner Jake Niebrugge said he understood the need for more parking, but wondered about letting the developer take care of the cost. Commissioner Hank Stephens said he looks at this project differently since economic development and tourism are involved.
There was also discussion about a grant-funded project to place an EV charging station downtown, perhaps replacing the former fire station just east across the street from Kirby Foods. A grant of up to $50,000 could be available for the project, and City Administrator Steve Miller said City forces could take down the old building at the site.
The Council finalized agreements with Placer.ai and with The Retail Coach for economic development services.
