County Board Places Balanced Budget on File

The Effingham County Board Monday voted to place on file a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year.

At least it's balanced for now.

Changes proposed in the health department budget are to be considered by the County Board after being approved by the County Board of Health at a meeting late last week.  The proposed Health Department budget included in the county budget placed on file Monday does not include the changes approved by the health board.

The Board approved contracts with Laborers Union employees in the State's Attorney, County Treasurer, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk as well as the maintenance men included in a contract with the Sheriff's Department.  Each of the contracts includes a 2.5% wage increase.  The contracts are effective through November 2014.

County Board Chairman Jim Niemann said the Board wants to realign the contracts so they all expire at about the end of the fiscal year.  Niemann said he thinks the move will lessen the costs of negotiations.

A vote on contracts with County employees represented by the Teamsters Union was tabled.  Niemann said there are a couple of items to resolve.

The Board approved a Probation Department reorganizational reques.  Probation Department Manager Cheryl Meyers said the change would allow Kristine Winters to take a vacant position as Drug Court counselor.  Also, the Board recognized the Teutopolis baseball team for a junior high boys state championship, and the Altamont Lutheran baseball team for a second place finish in their junior high state tournament.

Board members honored retired Chief Deputy Sheriff John Loy for his 36 years of service and confirmed Sheriff John Monnet to replace Loy on the County 911 Board.  The Board also approved a budget amendment for DUI equipment fees...and endorsed a Board-approved program to collect delinquent taxes through taking claim of the land and then selling it to a new owner so the County will get its investment.

The Board made two changes in long-standing IMRF matters for county emplyees; made its annual contribution of $3,456 to South Central Illinois Regional and Development Board; and approved a $500 donation toward the cost of a legislative reception to be held in Springfield  today hosted by the Chamber.

Board members approved a loan of just over $21,000 to Mark Anders and Chase Cardboard Recyclers.  Economic Development Chair Dave Campbell said Anders plans to generate a part-time position and retain another and also to retain two fulltime jobs.  County Board members also approved a bridge aid petition from St. Francis Township.  County Engineer Greg Koester said drainage work would be done at the intersection of 2200th Street and 1400th Avenue.