County Board Hears Work to Resurface Lake Sara Road Could Begin Next Month

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Published on September 19 2016 5:38 pm
Last Updated on September 19 2016 5:38 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(4-HERS ANGEL HARRINGTON, TAYLOR HARTKE AND MICKALA KLAY WERE ON HAND FOR PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL 4-H WEEK OCTOBER 2-8)

Effingham County Board members Monday heard that work to resurface Lake Sara Road could begin next month.

The Board awarded the bid for the resurfacing work to Howell Paving of Mattoon. Howell's low bid of $250,153.18 is well under the estimated cost of $300,000. 

County Engineer Greg Koester said the portion of Lake Sara Road to be resurfaced stretches from Moccasin Road, north to Illinois Routes 32/33. 

The Board approved two subdivision plats. 

St. Francis Subdivision involves seven lots including a new road, off East 1400th Avenue. Board member Joe Thoele voted against the plat, arguing that he would like to see "reverse setbacks". Thoele said there is already a livestock operation there, as well as six other residential lots, and he would like to see some setbacks keeping the residential lots from getting too close to the livestock operation. The move, he said, would lessen the likelihood of some future homeowners complaining about the livestock operation that is already in place.

The Board also approved a plat of Timberwood Subdivision, three lots to be developed on five acres off 2000th Street in St. Francis Township.

Also Monday, Board members recognized County Emergency Management Agency Director Pam Jacobs, who has achieved Professional Emergency Manager certification from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. County Board Chairman Jim Niemann said work is underway to bring IEMA Director James Joseph to Effingham County. Jacobs shared a letter she wrote to Joseph on her personal and professional growth since beginning the certification process.

The Board heard from Jennifer Moore of Central Illinois Public Transportation on the growth of ridership in the past two months. Moore said the number of riders in July grew from 2,269 last year to 3,313 this year, and the number of riders in August grew from 1,282 last year to 3,192 this year.

Board members welcomed 4-Hers Angel Harrington, Taylor Hartke and Mickala Klay who, with leader Michelle Loy, were present as October 2-8 was proclaimed National 4-H Week in Effingham County. The Board also voted to incorporate its Grants Committee with their Economic Development Advisory Board, and voted to allocate $1,500 to support next month's County Manufacturing Day.

The Board approved placement of a library book vending machine in the lobby of the County Office Building. The program is grant-funded, and at no expense to the County, to be overseen by Effingham Public Library. Also approved was the county holiday list for 2017, and the supplemental list of election judges for the November balloting.

(EFFINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR AMANDA McKAY SPOKE TO THE BOARD ABOUT A LIBRARY BOOK VENDING MACHINE FOR THE COUNTY BUILDING)

Board members also approved appointments, including Linda Ruholl to the Board of Health, Carol Warfield to replace the retiring Dr. James Gartner on the 708 Board, and Todd Hull to another term on the Economic Development Advisory Board.