Council Finalizes Financing of Land Purchase

The Effingham City Council Tuesday voted to finalize financing for the purchase of a more than 150-acre tract of land for economic development.

The acquisition from the Hawickhorst Family Land Trust involves property just north of John Boos and Company along South Route 45. The City is using $1.8 milion in bond revenue for much of the purchase price, along with another $1 million in funds already in the City budget.

The Council passed an ordinance granting a special use permit for Midwest Ventures and Properties and its manager Michael Brummer. The permit will allow the upper floor of the former First National Bank of Effingham building at Jefferson and Banker to be used for short-term rental properties. City Engineer Luke Thoele noted that the units can also be made available for long-term rentals, but the special use permit allows short term rentals.

Council members approved the appointment of City Commissioner Hank Stephens and City Economic Development Director Todd Hull as members of the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance. The Council earlier allocated $100,000 toward the Alliance with the stipulation that the funds will be used for efforts specifically designed to benefit the City.

Also Tuesday, City Administrator Steve Miller reminded that he would be meeting with Council members on the budget that begins May 1; employment milestones were noted for Miller for 20 years with the City and for Director of Public Works Jeremy Heuerman on his 10th anniversary with the City; heard that lingering effects of COVID on the economy leaves the City behind in revenues from the previous year; and heard that a project is in the works to improve the storm water system in a portion of Rollin Hills Subdivision.