County Board Finalizes TIF Agreement for Elevator Funding

Effingham County Board members Monday finalized a Tax Increment Financing agreement with the City of Effingham.

The City has agreed to allocate up to $50,000 in TIF dollars. The funds will help finance an elevator modernization project in the Effingham County Office Building. The elevator has been broken down twice this year, and the consensus is that the unit needs an electrical system upgrade.

The Board discussed when to proceed with the modernization project, which could take about four weeks to complete. Board members and County office holders are trying to determine when the project would least negatively impact county residents. In the meantime, it was agreed to seek request for proposals from contractors who could do the work.

County board members also approved a payment of just under $77,000 to GFI Digital for new copiers in county offices. The money will come out of the capital improvement, repair or replacement fund; updated the county's code of ordinances; and honored Joyce Roedl on her retirement after 26 years of service with the Effingham County Health Department.

The Board approved the tentative county budget for layover until a final vote at the November meeting. The new budget takes efffect December 1. The budget projects $4,000 more in income than outgo.

Board members also approved the appointment of several individuals as drainage district trustees, including Samuel B. Jansen, Joe C. Niemerg and John L. Probst to the Island Grove District; Dennis Niemerg and Kevin Miller to the South Island Creek District; and Greg Elmore, Troy Traub and Larry Probst to the Lucas District.