County Board Committee Considers Potential Federal Funding Cuts

Members of the Effingham County Board's Tax and Finance Committee Thursday discussed the potential impact of Federal budget cuts on the county's emergency management services.

Former county board chairman Jim Niemann is serving EMA under a Federal grant, and County EMA Emergency Manager Pamela Jacobs's pay is also partially funded by Federal dollars. 

The consensus of board members Thursday was that the salaries of Niemann and Jacobs are in the fiscal year budget, so they will be paid. However, if the Federal funds stop, the County could be on the hook for almost $38,000.

Committee Chairman Norbert Soltwedel asked County Treasurer Deb Ruholl as to how the County is doing as far as property tax revenue? Ruholl said the County as of February was $80,000 behind, so the Federal cuts and slowing revenues will need to be monitored.