County Board Tables Host Agreement for New Landfill One Month

Effingham County Board members Monday voted to table a host agreement on a new solid waste landfill for one month.

The host agreement is with Landfill 33, operator of the current landfill along Illinois Route 33, just east of Effingham.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said a host agreement is an indication "we think Landfill 33 is the agency to work with on a new landfill. You're not making any decision on the siting of the landfill."

Also present was attorney Jennifer Martin, who was retained to assist the County in the process of deciding landfill questions.

Martin shared that the host agreement is a guide in how to proceed in the siting process. One question raised Monday was the matter of a host fee, which could be a revenue generator for the County. Board member John Perry said he does not favor a host fee unless the charge would only be imposed on waste coming to the landfill from outside the county, so county residents would not have to worry about bearing the fee.

Board members heard that Landfill 33 was hopeful they could begin the application process to the State in April, but some Board members felt uneasy about not having more time to consider the issue before voting. Board member Rob Arnold said he felt the question was being "forced down our throats". That led to the motion to table the matter until the Board's legislative committee can discuss the meeting at their meeting on April 13 and consider a recommendation to the full Board on April 20.

Also Monday, the County Board:

--honored Karen Kay Hartke on her retirement from the county sheriff's department after 23 years' service

(KAREN KAY HARTKE AND COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN)

--approved a $40,000 revolving loan to Reva Properties, doing business as Quality Inn

--approved an Effingham County financial policy

--donated $2,000 to the Watson Homecoming

--approved a $94,000 contribution to the University of Illinois Extension with the funds reimbursed when property taxes are received

--purchased a GIS plotter for $7,395 plus accessories

--accepted a five-year elevator maintenance contract with OTIS

--approved disbursement of $12,000 from the capital improvement fund to complete a county clerk and county treasurer office remodel on the second floor

--voted to decrease the ambulance oversight committee by one member

--approved the Christmas light display on the Courthouse lawn

--approved five items related to the County public transportation system

--approved utilizing a public information officer for the next three months to coordinate information coming from the County Board office, EMA office and Health Department office related to the COVID-19 outbreak

--approved bridge aid on a project in St. Francis Township

--voted to forgive a $4,200 loan to the County 708 Board with board members Jeff Simpson and Rob Arnold voting No

--took no action on the proposed donation of a bench by a local resident in an attempt to determine a suitable location

--heard from County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel that early voting and voting by mail has been completed, and that his office is ready for Primary Election Day on Tuesday