County Board Approves Budget

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Published on December 21 2015 5:33 pm
Last Updated on December 21 2015 5:33 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham County Board Monday approved the budget for the fiscal year that began December 1. 

The budget includes a deficit of $42,414. County Board Chairman Jim Niemann noted that $42,770 is targeted for raises for county sheriff's department personnel. The road deputies, telecommunicators, correctional officers and bailiffs and the County are yet to finalize contracts. The bargaining, involving the Fraternal Order of Police, is going to arbitration. Without that earmarked money, the budget would be balanced.

The measure includes group health insurance coverage for County employees. An individual plan is $66.95/month while family coverage is $969.99/month under a HSA plan. The total bill for insurance coverage is $1,228,400, following a 28% premium increase for the new fiscal year.

The County Board approved an ordinance requiring attendance at meetings by those appointed by the Board to various boards and committees. Adding the attendance provision gives the Board some leverage in removing those appointees who don't show up. Otherwise, State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the Board didn't really have a way to remove people until their terms end.

The Board renewed an agreement with the State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor Program to provide help with court case appeals. The fee again this year is $12,000. Also approved were three agreements utilizing Motor Fuel Tax funds for maintenance of roads and to help cover the cost of County Engineer Greg Koester's salary.