EWA Hears from City About Enterprise Zone

Effingham City Administrator Jim Arndt spoke to the Effingham Water Authority Board at this week's meeting about the upcoming end of the Effingham City/County Enterprise Zone.

The Zone will expire on December 31, 2018. The City is in the process of applying to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a new zone. Arndt asked the trustees to adopt a resolution authorizing participation in the abatement of real property tax in the new Zone, and Board members voted unanimously to do so. The property tax abatements have been used as an incentive to new or expanding businesses within the Enterprise Zone.

The Water Authority Board approved a preliminary replat of two lots in Kelly and Cameron Subdivision, provided the final plat shows building setback lines and each lot has at least 20,000 square feet of area. No variances will be granted once the lots are replatted.

Trustees voted to increase building rental rates effective January 1, 2016 to $350 for the Pearson Building and $550 for the Community Building, with a $100 refund if the buildings are cleaned after the event. Also approved was the tax levy ordinance for the coming fiscal year.