Published on October 22, 2025 10:13 am
Last Updated on October 22, 2025 10:13 am
Effingham City Council members abated bonds issued in previous years for major capital improvement projects.
The bonds generated enough interest to cover the bond payments. One is for the police station and the central fire station, another is for the Effingham Performance Center building, and a third is for the purchase of 154 acres along South Route 45 for industrial development.
The Council approved an agreement with Kemper CPA Group for auditing services for the coming three years, as well as an intergovernmental agreement with Effingham Public Library for use of the building as a storm shelter and for weather events. Also…the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charging station, a change order for a storm sewer needed to drain a low area in the neighborhood along Mt. Vernon Avenue, and the release of bonding for curb and gutter replacement work.
Council members discussed whether to rezone 915 Outer Belt West from highway commercial district to general commercial district and grant a special use district at the location. The Council did rezone 1331 Outer Belt West from highway commercial district to general commercial district for use as an office building.
The Council approved an agreement with the State DCEO to net the City $250,000 that can be applied toward part of the cost of reconstructing Merchant Street. Also approved was an agreement between the police department and the Lake Land College Police Department particularly for maintenance of the Effingham Technology Center, and a contract with Varsity Striping for $169,000 for the pavement marking program for 2025.
The Council discussed a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the FOP Labor Council. The goals are to get more police officers on the street, and to lessen hireback. Officers passed the agreement 17-4.
There was discussion on rezoning 1219 East Rickelman Avenue from non-urban to general commercial, but many of those who live in the affected area in Silverlake Estates are opposed to the rezoning. The matter will be revisited. The Council also discussed a three-year agreement with Local 26 of the Teamsters Union affecting most daily workers, discussed an Outer Belt West water main extension project, and a TIF rehabilitation agreement for DJ’s Party Supply to rehab the building’s exterior.
In a nod to the coming season, City Economic Development Director Todd Hull said work has begun to put up Christmas lights.
