County Board Trying to Finalize What Will Go Where on Courthouse Lawn

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Published on June 16 2015 6:26 am
Last Updated on June 16 2015 8:05 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham County Board members Monday discussed just what will go where on the lawn of the old Courthouse in downtown Effingham.

The Board thought they had a plan in place with two new monuments to join an existing monument on the southeast corner of the lawn. One new monument will honor State Police troopers who died in the line of duty in local District 12. The other will recognize other emergency services personnel.

In the meantime, someone has marked a spot on the lawn for a kiosk to be placed by the National Road Association of Illinois to make information available to the public on the historic roadway that travels through Effingham. No one at Monday's board meeting was certain who made the mark, but there were concerns raised that there wouldn't be room for all of the various items on that corner.

Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Mike DePoister said he'll contact the affected entities to make sure things are correctly sorted out.

The National Road Association received permission to place the kiosk months ago, but no one had heard any subsequent information on the matter.

Also Monday, the Board tabled action on a contract with the union local representing probation office employees since the County hadn't received copies of the contract; approved a letter of support for the Village of Dieterich in the extension of their TIF District; approved the prevailing wage rates for contracted work; and approved allocation of personal property replacement tax money with the levy to be later amended according to the amount of replacement tax revenue received. 

The Board approved a $1,000 contribution of Hotel/Motel Tax funds to the Good Neighors of Lake Sara fireworks display on July 3; and approved the budget for the County Extension Service that begins July 1.

Board members sent a decision on whether to advertise on the Chamber map to committee; tabled a decision on whether to make a financial contribution to Franklin County to continue operation of a juvenile detention center that features treatment for meth; and approved a contribution toward the cost of a culvert replacement project in West Township on the Fayette County line.

Several appointments were approved including Steve Browning as a Montrose Fire Protection District trustee, Stanley Bahrns to the Airport Commission, John Beckman and Lyle Westfall to the Farmland Assessment Review Committee, Gene Logue, Barb Utz, Dr. James Gartner and Patti Jansen to the Mental Health 708 Board, Jerry Jansen and Faith Griffin to the 377 Board, and Ted Heath to the Board of Health.

Board member Karen Luchtefeld reported enough money was generated at a recent fundraiser to make sure Golden Circle Nutrition Programs in the county will be able to offer meals five days a week for the rest of the fiscal year; County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel reported that new voted ID cards are going out and asked residents to check them to make sure the information on the cards is accurate; and County Treasurer Steve Dasenbrock reported that the due dates for county property tax payments this year will be in August and October with the exact dates to be firmed up in the next few days.

The Board heard from Effingham County Fair Board President Phil Hartke, who requested $3,000 to help cover security costs at this year's fair, but was asked to make the presentation in committee before it is considered by the full Board. Hartke mentioned there will be a new carnival with 21 rides, more than in the past, and that the midway will be ready to go on the Monday night of the fair.

The County Board also moved the July meeting to Wednesday, July 22, rather than Monday, the 20th, as several board members will be attending a meeting out of the county on the 20th.

Board member Jeff Simpson was not present for Monday's meeting.