County Board Acted on Radios, Insurance

(The portion of this article regarding action on group health insurance coverage is corrected from what was posted Monday evening. Our apologies for the earlier incorrect information.)

Effingham County Board members Monday paid off the final invoice on fire department radios for use throughout the county. 

The total cost is $148,680. Earlier this month, the new radio system including towers throughout the county was finalized to improve reception among the various departments.

The Board also reached agreement on an employee group health carrier for 2024-2025. Hope Trust was selected as the provider. Board member Chris Keller voted against the motion after voicing strong objections to the recommendation in committee last week. The portion that the County will pay toward the coverage will be revisited at a special Tax and Finance Committee meeting on October 15th.

The Board did approve an award of dental and vision coverage through Weis Insurance of Effingham.

Board members also considered funding for opioid addicion treatment. Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns is encouraging consideration of using opioid settlement funds to pay for the treatment in hopes of ending addiction. A public hearing was scheduled for Thursday night, October 24, at 6:00 to address the issue.

The Board also Monday:

--heard the window replacement work is underway at the County Office Building. The front of the building is screened off in case of any falling debris, but there is access to the front door

--appointed Effingham Fire Chief Brant Yochum to the Ambulance Oversight Board for another term

--honored retired officer Travis Monnet for his 20 years with the Effingham County Sheriff's Office

(TRAVIS MONNET)

--approved the remaining $51,300 in ARPA funding for seven gap scholarships through the Childcare Research Committee with any outstanding funds returning to ARPA funding

--proclaimed National 4-H Week

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY 4-H REPRESENTATIVES)

--disbursed $6,881.57 in ARPA funding for payment to Nelson Tree Service for work on the TREC Trail with the remaining balance to be paid from the Trail Maintenance Fund

--proclaimed National Disability Employment Awareness Month

(REPRESENTATIVES OF CSS OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY)

--approved a $709 disbursement of ARPA funds for a County Boardroom bookshelf crafted by EHS students as a repository for gifts and mementos received by the County

--approved a bid from Wright's Furniture and Flooring of Dieterich in the amount of $21,232 for carpet replacement on the 4th floor of the County Office Building

--heard that almost $43 million in property taxes has been collected, and County Treasurer Deb Ruholl shared that a first distribution of the funds should be made before October 13

--approved a $19,500 disbursement from the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to Heartland Health Foods

--contributed $2,000 to the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce to support Trades Skills and Manufacturing Day

--met in closed session to discuss employment matters related to Workers Compensation, but took no action in open session