No Comments from Public on Park District Bond Issue

No comments were heard from the public Wednesday night on the Effingham Park Board's proposed sale of bonds to finance Park District improvements in 2018.

The Board is considering selling up to $550,000 in bonds this year, a $50,000 increase from previous years. Park District Director Jeff Althoff said they try to be mindful of keeping any tax increase small, but said the additional revenue will help finance some additional upgrades. 

The District project list this year includes improvements at Kluthe Memorial Pool, as well as roadway work and replacement of fencing at some ball diamonds. Any remaining revenue would go toward work on Harmony Playground, the accessible-to-all playground to be built this year at Evergreen Hollow Park.

Althoff said the fundraising effort for Harmony Playground is about $5,000 from the $700,000 goal. He said equipment has been ordered and work on the playground will begin as soon as weather permits. The playground and an adjoining pavilion will be built east across Maple Street from the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex, just north of the tennis courts.

Action to annex property into the Park District was tabled until the February meeting. Park District boundaries typically mirror the Effingham city limits.

The Board voted to grant $1/hour pay increases to employees Brad Mesnard and Heath Walker, and 3% pay hikes to all other fulltime employees. The exception is Hillary Kopplin, who received a raise in October.