County Board Remembers Dick Francis

(DICK FRANCIS)

Effingham County Board members Monday began their meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Richard "Dick" Francis, who died recently at age 90.

Francis served on the County Board and served as Board Chairman from 1994 to 1998. 

The Board was to present a Chairman's Commendation Award to another former Board Chairman, Ernest Garbe, but Garbe was unable to attend so the presentation was delayed until the September meeting. Garbe has served for decades in a variety of capacities.

Board members approved use of the courthouse musuem courtyard for a beer garden during the Downtown Cruise Night on September 9, and approved use of the courtyard on September 15 for the Corvette Welcomefest Downtown Party.

The Board approved a number of appointments, including Brenda Winskill to the 708 Board until 2027, Ron Will to the Ambulance Oversight Committee until 2025, Samuel Jansen as an Island Grove Drainage District Trustee until 2026, Greg Elmore as a Lucas Township Drainage District trustee until 2026, Joe Thoele as a South Island Drainage District trustee until 2026, and Dennis Niemerg as a St. Francis Township Drainage District Trustee until 2026. The Board also approved County holidays for Fiscal Year 2024.

Various expenditures were approved, including $4,640.99 of Earmarked Childcare Research Committee Increased Capacity Program ARPA funding; up to $3,000 of Childcare Research Committee Gap Scholarship ARPA funding; $2,500 in ARPA funding for OSLAD grant management; up to $3,500 in ARPA funding for Business Resiliency Grant management; and the July payment to Lakeside Roofing for work on the County Office Building roof. The Board also approved Sheriff Paul Kuhns to negotiate a School Resource Officer contract with county school districts.

Board members approved the sale of a piece of property that didn't sell in the County Tax Sale. The parcel, located in Mason, was purchased by the adjoining landowner. Also approved were amended tower lease agreements to help deliver a network of towers to improve communications capability for rural fire protection districts. Board Chairman Josh Douthit also reported that Roy Shelley of Koerner Distributor will serve as the county's representative on the Local Workforce Innovation Area Board, which enables young talent to connect with the area job market.

Also Monday, County Clerk and Recorder Michelle Kollmann, the chief election authority for the county, reported that candidates in the 2024 county election can begin circulating petitions on Tuesday, September 5. Offices to be filled are those of Circuit Clerk, Coroner, State's Attorney, and five seats on the county board...Districts C, D, F, G, and I. The current officeholders: Circuit Clerk Tammy Kreke, Coroner Kim Rhodes, State's Attorney Aaron Jones and County Board members Tim Ellis in District C, Dave Campbell in District D, Elizabeth Huston in District F, Doug McCain in District G, and Jeremy Deters in District I. The election will be in November 2024. 

Chief Deputy Sheriff Travis Buhnerkempe reported that Nathan Hill is out of the Academy and will soon bring the sheriff's department to a full complement of officers for the first time in a couple of years.

County Engineer Greg Koester reported work continues on Moccasin Road with the pavement work substantially complete and underway on the shoulders.

The Board also heard from a county resident about a dispute with a neighbor. The matter is under investigation by law enforcement authorities.

Board member Elizabeth Huston was not present for the meeting.