City Council Not Giving Up on Enterprise Zone Incentives

Despite a defeat at the Effingham County Board meeting Monday, the Effingham City Council remains optimistic that modified local incentives and property tax abatements for the Effingham/Effingham County Enterprise Zone can still gain approval. The Council is pursuing the changes with a goal of incentivizing residential construction projects to bring people to the area that could staff local businesses and industries.

In a statement to open Tuesday night's Council meeting, Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the current Council's goal has been increased housing and a larger workforce. The tax abatement incentive is seen as an option.The City/County Enterprise Zone Board, the City Council, the Teutopolis Village Board, and the County Board have to give their approval for the plan to move forward. Schutzbach said, "With further discussion and teamwork, we hope to encourage the County Board to agree with the premise of how this tax abatement eventually has a positive impact on all community members." Schutzbach added, "A vacant lot generates minimum property tax while a building on a lot generates full property tax after the abatement ends."

The Council did vote in support of the incentives during last night's meeting.

Also Tuesday, City Police Detective Tom Webb was presented with the Police Chief's Commendation Award for his work on a local criminal case where children were the victims. A number of local residents were on hand to witness the recognition for Webb.

(CITY POLICE CHIEF JASON McFARLAND AND CITY DETECTIVE TOM WEBB)

City Commissioner Libby Moeller, who helped oversee this year's Effingham Artisan Fair, recognized an Effingham Junior High School student, 12-year-old Henry Bushur, son of Vickie Bushur, with an Outstanding Volunteer Award. The 7th grader helped with hauling a lot of materials and other items throughout the day of the Artisan Fair.

(CITY COMMISSIONER LIBBY MOELLER WITH HENRY BUSHUR)

Also Tuesday, the City Council:

--amended the City personnel policies and procedures related to vacations

--purchased property from D&A Farms for $462,000 to aid with an easterly extension of Ford Avenue

--approved a proposal from Civil Design for GIS database and an online mapping portal

--approved a quote from Pella for City Hall window replacements

--approved nuisance remediations at Village Square Mall for fire sprinkler system modification at the former JC Penney store, and for canopy repair at the mall, after hearing from Steve Linton, who suggested another option

--accepted a proposal for pavement patching for the fiscal year

--approved final plats of the 4th and 5th additions to Prairie Ace Estates subdivision, northwest of the city

--approved a special use permit for climate controlled miniwarehouses at a location along Wabash Avenue

--accepted a Pick It Up, Effingham! litter abatement proposal from The Journey Church to maintain a section of South Raney Street from Mansfield to Stevens Avenues

--acted on a service agreement for municipal electric aggregation being pursued by City Administrator Steve Miller

--voted to seek an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant that would help pay for a pedestrian walkway over the interstate in the area of the planned extension of Ford Avenue

The Council were reminded of the Battle of the Badges blood drive on Wednesday involving the City Police and Fire Departments at the Effingham Event Center on West Fayette from 1 to 6pm, and the Effingham Fall Community Celebration also on Wednesday from 5 to 8pm at Evergreen Hollow Park.

Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum also reminded that the Fall Open House at the Effingham Central Fire Station at Fayette and Maple will return on Sunday, October 9 from 1 to 4pm.