Published on September 15, 2025 5:24 pm
Last Updated on September 16, 2025 9:19 am
In the wake of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, members of the Effingham County Board Monday asked for civility in how county business is conducted.
In opening the meeting, rather than a prayer as is typical, Board Chairman Josh Douthit asked each member as well as others present to pray that they will be thoughtful in their speech.
Board member Sandi Rich added that we should seek to practice “civility, not hostility” in how they treat others.
We want to clarify something shared Monday by County Treasurer Deb Ruholl regarding county residents paying their property tax bills. Ruholl today shared that she believes people dropped their payments in the post office box on the due date and the payments are not being postmarked until the next day. According to State Statute, payments need to be postmarked on or before the due date.
Ruholl said a little more than $44 million in taxes have been paid, and said the first distribution of taxes should be out by early October.
The Board also decided against the 85% guideline for utilizing hotel/motel tax funds that was approved last week, and are instead sending the guideline back to committee for further review. Board member Mike Buzzard asked the Board to finalize the guideline once the County budget is in place.
The Board proclaimed October 6th thru the 12th as National 4-H Week, and the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Board members are still waiting for contributions from veterans organizations for a flag pole for the County Government Center; allocated $15,000 for the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance; and approved $1,000 for the Ham City Fall Fest. Larry Taylor was reappointed to the Economic Development Advisory Board and Jim Westendorf to the St. Francis Township Drainage District.
