County Board Endorses Enterprise Zone Bid

The Effingham County Board Monday endorsed the bid for a new Enterprise Zone that would provide benefits for new or expanding business or industry within the zone.

The current City-County Enterprise Zone expires in 2018. The new zone, more regional in nature, would target properties in Effingham, but also in Teutopolis. Benefits would include property tax breaks as well as sales tax breaks on materials used on the expansions.

The Board approved revising a contract with Holli's Flour Shoppe, reducing the monthly loan payments, and also approved an amended fireworks ordinance allowing those who meet the requirements to stay in operation year-round.

There was discussion on placing flagpoles by the monument on the old Courthouse lawna commemorating emergency service personnel. The poles have been purchased by private individuals, the City will take care of lighting the poles, and the County is providing the site and the County Probation Department will maintain the site, but someone is still being sought to provide the flags for the poles. Organizers are contacting state and federal elected officials and plan to contact veterans organizations for help in securing flags.

The Board appointed Dr. Ted Fifer and Linda Workman to the County Board of Health and appointed Larry Doty a trustee of the Tri-County Fire Protection District. Board members also heard from EMA Director Pam Jacobs that the county's Emergency Operations Plan has been approved, and heard that ridership is increasing on the county's public transportation system.

Board members awarded a bid to replace a bridge southeast of Altamont in Mound Townshp to low bidder Depew and Owen for $218,988, and agreed to expand the County Engineer's office on the third floor of the County Office Building into an adjoining conference room to the west.