City Council Passes Budget; Finalizes Reorganization

The Effingham City Council has passed a budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, and also has finalized a reorganization of the City's organizational structure at City Hall.

The Council passed a budget Tuesday totaling $76,645,390. City Administrator Jim Arndt said the budget is balanced, meets the City's debt service requirements, and addresses the reserve requirements.

The Council also amended the City's Appointment Ordinance. The revised ordinance reflects the elimination of three part-time positions earlier this year, those being the City Treasurer and two jobs in utility billing, and the reduction of the secretary positions in the Building Official and the Economic Development departments. Arndt said the moves have eliminated all secretary positions in the city administration in an attempt to streamline operations. The personnel policy manual was also amended to reflect the changes as well as the earlier move to go to contracted custodial work at city buildings. The Council also discussed amended job descriptions for Accounting Assistant/City Treasurer, Accounting Assistant, and Customer Service Representative, as well as creating a position of Technical Assistant in the Tourism Department.

Council members voted to contract with IC Enterprises of Heartville for emergency roof repairs at the Central Fire Station at Fayette and Maple. The project is quoted at $100,000 and is an attempt to address a long-standing problem with the leaky roof.

The Council approved increasing sewer rates by 3-1/2% in each of the next three fiscal years. Arndt said the increases will cover costs. Commissioner Don Althoff voted against the rate increases.

Council members discussed utilizing Economic Development Resources to create an extensive new business district. The proposed district would run along Fayette Avenue from about the east city limits to Henrietta Street, and then north along Henrietta to Keller Drive and northwest along Keller Drive bounded by the interstate beltline. Arndt said the district would generate revenue for the City to help fund infrastructure projects and aid the properties in the district in developing those properties.

The Council also amended the liquor ordinance to allow Orchard Inn to sell and allow consumption of alcohol outdoors; established a $61.9 million five-year capital improvements plan; established a Fiscal Year 2018 budget schedule; finalized the name change of the library to Effingham Public Library; approved a proposal for work at the relocated bulk water facility; and approved an agreement with Civil Design for design of resurfacing work on East Jefferson Avenue.

Council members accepted a proposal for work at the West Wernsing sewer lift station; hired The Upchurch Group for preliminary engineering on the south water tower repainting project; agreed to contribute $15,000 toward the cost of the 4th of July fireworks display and $5,000 toward the launch of a new two-day Independence Day Festival; reappointed Dave Storm to a three-year term on the Board of Fire and Police Commission; reappointed Jim Arndt, Bill Myers and Tyler Witges to three-year terms on the Effingham Public Library Board; and reappointed Greg Kemper, Rob Macklin and Robert McGee to three-year terms on the City Plan Commission.

The Council discussed membership and a $50,000 contribution to The Alliance, and learned that an error in the legal description of a property on East Fayette will hold up a rezoning request.

City Commissioner Kevin Willis was not present for the meeting.