County Board Tables Window, Solar Energy Project at Office Building

Effingham County board members Wednesday decided to table action on a window replacement and solar energy project at the County Office Building.

The Board decided to obtain more information on the project before making an award. The information from Centrica, the vendor that has been working with the County, was for a 25-year contract including a service agreement for the first 15 years.

In the meantime, Board member Jeremy Deters lobbied for non-opening windows as a way to maintain cooling and heating patterns throughout the building.

Also Wednesday, the Board closed the books on the fiscal year, which ends today. No budget amendments were needed to finish the year in the black. The budget was adjusted to account for 27 pay periods in 2024, rather than 26. The fiscal year salary schedule was finalized, allowing for some flexibility particularly in the state's attorney and public defender's offices to hire assistants. 

Board members also passed the fiscal year tax levy. The County tax rate was lowered, since sufficient revenue should still be generated due to an increase in the county's equalized assessed valuation. Also, the County's contract with GFI on the maximum number of copies needed was reduced to lower the cost. Board Chairman Josh Douthit said researched the number of copies generated in recent years and found that fewer copies were generated than were in the contract.

Board members also finalized a settlement agreement with BRIT regarding a civil suit between the County and a former local ambulance service. BRIT agreed to pay the County $75,000. They also approved a transfer of $177,868 in capital improvement funding to cover roof repairs on the County Office Building.