County Board Commends Retiring Officials and Personnel

The Effingham County Board Monday recognized retiring board members and county officials for their years of service.

Retired Effingham County Treasurer Paula Miller, who worked in the office for 33 years including her years in office, was recognized by Board Chairman Josh Douthit...

As was retired County Clerk and Recorder Kerry Hirtzel, who served in those positions for 20 years...

And County Circuit Clerk John Niemerg, who is retiring after 10 years in office...

The Board also recognized the five County Board members who did not seek re-election. That includes retired Chairman Jim Niemann, who served 12 years on the Board...

Rob Arnold, who served 12 years on the Board...

Joe Thoele, who served 10 years on the Board...

John Perry was recognized for serving six years on the Board...

And Heather Mumma was recognized for serving four years on the Board...

The Board also recognized maintenance worker Tony Hille for his 17 years' service to the County.

Also Monday, the County Board:

--heard a presentation from the Effingham Regional Career Academy regarding the successful completion of their first class

--approved a lease for space in the County Office Building for incoming Congressman Mike Bost

--approved a lease for pre-trial services for office space on the second floor of the County Government Center

--approved a new lease fee of $400/month with the Veterans Administration

--approved changes in Board by-laws that only approves per diem for board members who are members of the committee meetings that attend, eliminated the waste management and landfill committee, and combined the health services and insurance committees. The Board also intiated a transportation committee.

--approved the disbursement of $314,007 in ARPA funds for county purchase of three vans for Community Support Systems use

--approved $50,000 in ARPA funds for Mason Township Park District for building and library updates

--approved $60,000 in loaned funds to KLH Land Improvement Service for a business expansion including a vehicle purchase, with a pledge by the business to repay the funds

--appointed Carol Wakefield and Barbara Utz to new terms on the 708 Board and named Shannon Hinkle to the 708 Board to replace Pati Jansen

--appointed Rick Manford to the Ambulance Oversight Board, with County Board member Elizabeth Huston abstaining from the vote

--awarded bids for road maintenance rock

--accepted bids received on two parcels of property on which taxes were not paid, so the County regained ownership of the parcels, then sold them by bid

--disbursed $53,755 in ARPA funds for purchase of a vehicle for the County Emergency Management Agency

--approved the members of the Transportation Committee, including Norbert Soltwedel as chairman, Jeremy Deters as vice-chairman, and Elizabeth Huston as member

--approved the members of the Health and Insurance Committee, including Doug McCain as chairman, Jeremy Kyle as vice-chairman, and Norbert Soltwedel as member

--approved day and time of the Transportation Committee as the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm, and the day and time of the Health and Insurance Committee as the first Tuesday of each month at 2:30pm.