County Board Executive Committee Considers Added Incentives for Enterprise Zone

The Effingham County Board's Executive Committee Monday voted to send two items related to the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone to the full County Board for consideration at next week's meeting.

The two items would establish incentives for residential development in the Zone; a five-year property tax abatement for single family residences and a three-year abatement for development of two or more units. There would also be sales tax exemptions on building materials.

Representatives of the City of Effingham and the Alliance spoke on behalf of the incentives, saying it's difficult to find people to add to the workforce since those individuals can't find a place to live.

Those on the County Board who spoke didn't like the idea as it wouldn't benefit all of those who live in the county who might want to build a home. After considerable comments, the committee voted to move it to the full Board for consideration. Board member Heather Mumma abstained from the vote.

The additional incentives need approved by the City, the County, and the Village of Teutopolis. Also, all affected taxing bodies would have to agree to the property tax abatement.

The committee also discussed a lack of progress toward Central Illinois Public Transit providing enough transportation service to Community Support Systems. Executive Committee Chairman Dave Campbell said the matter will remain on the committee agenda to "keep the fire lit." A portion of the ARPA funds received by the County are involved in the issue.

When contacted about how his agency is currently providing transportation to its consumers, CSS Executive Director Andy Kistler said since CIPT hasn't come up with enough drivers to provide promised service, CSS has had to utilize their own personnel and has secured enough vehicles from around the state to supplement service to its consumers. Kistler said he hopes for a resolution to the issue soon or else, he said, CSS might have to get back into the transportation business. One county board member said Monday that it might be time to allocate ARPA funds to CSS. 

The committee recommended that City Economic Development Director Todd Hull be reappointed to the County Economic Development Advisory Board. The committee also moved lists of election judges onto the full board for approval. County Clerk Kerry Hirtzel, who is the Chief Election Authority in the county, said the number of individuals who have agreed to serve as a judge is down. Hirtzel said he has received a better list from the Democrats than the Republicans at this point.