City, County Approve Enterprise Zone Annexation

Effingham city council members Tuesday approved the annexation of Prairie Ace Estates into the Effingham City/County Enterprise Zone. The action followed a similar move by the Effingham County Board earlier Tuesday. 

The better-than-50-acre tract includes 41 residential lots.

The vote by the City Council was 4-0. Mayor Mike Schutzbach was not present for the meeting.

On a split voice vote, the County Board approved the annexation 5-2 with members Norbert Soltwedel and Doug McCain voting No. 

The Teutopolis Village Board will vote on the annexation tonight.

The City Council Tuesday also purchased Christmas light displays for just over $37,000. A large display was acquired for the downtown area with the remaining items to be located at Wonderland in Lights in Community Park.

The Council also amended an agreement on the Henrietta Street water main replacement project, adding $9,500 to the project cost; and authorized acceptance of a quote from Visu-Sewer of Missouri to televise city sewers and check for breaks in the lines for $98,931.  Council members also recognized Streets and Sewers Foreman Jeff Lewis for his retirement after 27 years of service.

The Council discussed a timeline for a new Comprehensive plan for the city. The project could take a couple of years. The last complete update of the Plan was in 1995.

City Administrator Steve Miller shared about the new electric aggregation rate. The rate will be 7.89 for April through June, and then 8.35 from July 2024 through December 2025. Miller said the City chose to take no fee for handling the project. 

City officials also shared that work to develop a new City Code will begin soon. It'll be the first time in 35 years that city ordinances and resolutions will have been codified.