Park Board Passes Tax Levy

Effingham Park Board commissioners Wednesday passed a tax levy for the coming fiscal year.  The measure is the same as what was proposed at the November meeting.

The Board also renewed health insurance for Park District employees.  The premium only increased 4% over last year once it was decided to increase the deductible by $500.  The coverage is through Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tingley Insurance.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff reported that work is nearing completion on a pavilion and concession stand in the southwest part of Community Park.  Althoff also reported that he and a friend took a Park District dump truck to the Peoria area.  The trip was in response to a call for help from the Illinois Association of Park Districts following the tornado that did so much damage in Washington, Illinois outside Peoria last month.  Althoff said they worked from 7pm on Saturday, November 23 to 7am on Sunday, November 24.  

Althoff said it didn't do too much to put a dent in the damage done, but said they wanted to help.  He said he has lasting images of the damage, including moving clothes washers and dryers still full of clothes and refrigerators still full of food.

The Park Board also discussed issuing up to $500,000 in bonds to help finance continued asphalt upgrades in district parks, architectural and consultant fees, completion of a maintenance shed at Evergreen Hollow Park, and purchase of trees for all three District parks.