City Council Discusses Tax Levy, Approves Contract w/City Police

Effingham city council members Tuesday discussed the tentative tax levy for the coming fiscal year and settled on a 2.5% increase over what was actually extended in taxes last year. A formal vote will take place before the end of the year.

The proposed increase would actually cause the City's tax rate to decrease, with the City's equalized assessed valuation expected to increase enough to generate sufficient revenue.

There was some discussion about a 2% increase and brief discussion of a 3% hike, but 2.5% seemed most palatable to Council members.

The Council discussed an intergovernmental agreement with the Effingham Unit 40 School District on assistance with TIF dollars for vocational training costs and on-site work at the junior high school as part of the multi-year project there.

There was also discussion of moving the fire engine exhaust system used at the current fire station on South Banker to the renovated station being completed on Jaycee Avenue, and a plan for assistance to Effingham Storage Solutions that is building a new facility behind the former Best Homes building along South Banker.

The Council voted to open its Regional Fire and Police Training Center off Eiche Avenue to other law enforcement agencies; a proposal was accepted from Dasenbrock Fence for fence work on City property; and a three-year contract was approved with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #209 at a 3% annual pay increase for recruits, patrolmen, corporals and sergeants. The agreement is retroactive to the start of the City's fiscal year on May 1.

Also approved was painting work at the Tourism Office, stockpiling street maintenance materials, and manhole rehabilitation work.

The Council met new Plumbing and Electrical Inspector Chris Niemerg, who succeeded the retired Dennis Niebrugge. Council members also approved the rezoning of a 14 acre tract of land on the southwest corner of Jaycee Avenue and Veterans Drive from non-urban to two-family duplex dwelling district. Two residents of the area appeared to protest the project, one because of concerns over how the tract will be developed, the other more because of concerns the existing streets and utilities won't handle the increased traffic and development.

Council members approved more sewer lining work, rezoned a parcel so a couple can build a garage at their house, and rezoned land on the east side of US Route 45 from Evergreen Avenue north to the developed properties to single family residential. The Council also replatted land to separate the Village Square Mall property from the Wabash Tire and Auto Center property.