County Acquires Land for Transportation Repair Building

Effingham County board members Monday purchased three acres of property in the Effingham Business Park that will house a repair facility for the county's transportation fleet. 

The three-acre tract at the corner of Pike Avenue and Raney Street will cost $50,000 per acre. County Board Chairman Josh Douthit said engineering on the project will come next, then construction of the facility. Douthit thinks actual construction will not likely proceed until next year.

The purchase is grant-funded, with the funds to be reimbursed to the County.

It was also shared by board member Jeremy Deters that he has spoken with Teutopolis village officials as to contributions to the transportation system. The matter is to be discussed by the village board at Wednesday's meeting.

Also Monday, the County Board:

--approved disbursing $2,000 in opioid funding toward conference fees for the 2025 and/or 2026 Southern Illinois Drug Awareness Conference 

--approved updating a contract with AGE for a solar contract on county buildings

--approved a resolution to replace a drainage structure along the Effingham-Shelby County line

--approved a request for proposals for sheriff's office renovations

--approved use of the courtyard and county office parking lots for EffingHAM-JAM on July 18

--approved a $56,450 disbursemernt to ProVantage Roofing for shake replacement on courthouse museum clock tower

--approved disbursement of $5,825 for an ADA compliant entrance door on the County Office Building

--reallocated $3,750 for caulking of first floor windows of the County Office Building

--approved $26,503 in disbursement to Wright's Furniture and Flooring for Phase I flooring updates for the County Office Building

--approved Phase II of flooring updates for the County Office Building

--approved stair treads updates for the County Office Building

--approved painting of the stairwells and handrails of the County Office Building

The Board also recognized four employees who are retiring or who have retired. Two who were not present at Monday's meeting were Bill Frese and Jeff Baker of the County Sheriff's Office. Baker retired after six years' service, while Frese departs after 27 years' service. 

The Board recognized Cheryl Meyers of the Effingham County Probation Office. Meyers will retire on April 2, completing 39 years' service to the County and the Department.

(CHERYL MEYERS WITH COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JOSH DOUTHIT)

Judy Bierman was recognized after completing 33 years' service to the Effingham County Health Department.

Board member Chris Keller was not present for Monday's meeting.