Published on April 20, 2026 6:11 pm
Last Updated on April 20, 2026 6:11 pm
Effingham County Board members Monday voted to award $9,000 in Hotel/Motel tax funds to the Mill Road Threshermans Association annual event. This year’s event will take place September 10-13 at the Effingham County Fairgrounds.
Association President Jon Schultz said the later timeframe for the event is being well-received by those who want to participate, rather than the week after the county fair in August.
The Board also awarded $1,000 for the More 4 Montrose event June 5-6. The event will include a rodeo and live music, and will also be funded by hotel/motel tax funds.
Board members voted to approve the Probation Department arming certain staff members to be armed. The action came at the recommendation of Chief Judge Martin Siemer. County Board Chairman Josh Douthit said those officers who make home visits will be those who are armed.
The Board proclaimed May 10-16 as National Police Week, and proclaimed May 7 as Law Day. Also approved was an allocation of up to $5,000 to fund Board member Norbert Soltwedel’s trip to New Orleans for the National Association of Counties Conference. A board member from Kendall County is slated to be elected a national officer and Soltwedel is scheduled to vote for him to get a county official from Illinois to be chosen a national officer.
Board members approved an updated wind ordinance and an updated solar ordinance. Also, several appointments were approved…Dan Roedl as an Altamont Fire District trustee, Paul Niemerg as a Dieterich Fire District trustee, Alan Davis as a Watson Fire District trustee, Robert Hoene as a Sigel Fire District trustee, and Tom Freeman and Bill Passalacqua as Ethics Board members.
The Board approved a St. Francis Township bridge aid petition, as well as a joint resolution with Jasper County for a project on the Effingham/Jasper County line, a Banner Township bridge aid petition, and seeking bids for a new tandem dump truck for the highway department to replace a 2006 model.
Board members approved use of the courtyard lawn for an outdoor movie to benefit the Heart Theatre project, and use of the courtyard law for a patriot garden. The Board also awarded $12,000 to Bodyworks Massage Health and Wellness from economic development funds.
The Board allocated $500 to Effingham Sunrise Rotary to support America’s 250th Anniversary celebration, and approved display of America’s 250th flag from April 29 through December 31. The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Effingham to resurface the parking lot on the north side of the county office building and the county courts building.
Board members accepted Rick Manford’s resignation from the Ambulance Oversight Committee and heard from board member Jeremy Deters that work has begun on a new ambulance contract to replace the agreement that expires next year. The Board heard that Nick Burrus has been on the job as assistant county engineer for the past three weeks, and that any county high schooler who would like to participate in Law Day should contact their school counselor by this Friday.
The Board also voted to join the Six Remnant Opioid Settlement as a plaintiff
Board member Sandi Rich was not present for Monday’s meeting.
