Current County Board Holds Final Regular Meeting

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY BOARD CHAIRMAN JIM NIEMANN AT MONDAY'S MEETING)

Monday was an opportunity for departing members of the Effingham County Board to say goodbye.

Five members of the board, including Chairman Jim Niemann, did not seek re-election earlier this month. The new members will be seated at the first meeting in December. 

Niemann said, "We have worked hard to do our best. For those friendships I have developed, I am thankful. For friendships lost, I am sorry." Departing member Joe Thoele thanked the constituents who gave him the opportunity to serve, a sentiment echoed by Rob Arnold, Heather Mumma and John Perry.

Mumma also saw the approval of a resolution regarding the county's "No Kill" policy, fleshing out what steps have been already taken to provide for humane care for animals who come under the County's care.

(FROM LEFT, MARY ELLEN EVERSMAN AND HEATHER MUMMA)

Mumma invited longtime animal rights supporter Mary Ellen Eversman to stand with her as she read the resolution. Eversman spoke to the light that contact with a pet can bring to a lonely individual. 

The Board formally accepted the resignation of Effingham County Circuit Clerk John Niemerg. The resignation is effective December 31, 2022. Niemerg was first elected to office in 2012. He is in the middle of a term, so the Effingham County Republican Central Committee will make a recommendation for an individual to fill out the balance of the term. 

The Board increased the budgeted amount for the 377 Board to $180,000. Thoele made the motion, saying, "We need to take care of our underpriviledged." The decision will lead to an adjustment to the county tax levy and the overall budget. Those matters will be addressed at a special board meeting on Tuesday, November 29. That will be the final meeting of the fiscal year and of the current board to finalize the budget and levy for the coming year. The County's fiscal year begins on December 1.

The Board approved the salary schedule for County non-union employees; approved a resolution confirming that the county is pro-agriculture; and approved a number of funding measures. 

Board members approved the disbursement of $150,000 in earmarked funds for Childcare Research to initiate a childcare gap scholarship program; earmarked $50,000 for Mason Township Park District until review by the Board's Tax and Finance Committee at their December meeting; disbursed $14,000 for Heartland Human Services for employee training retention and recruitment; and approved $345,000 for the purchase of buses for Heartland Human Services to assist in transportation of their clients.

Also approved was appropriation of up to $440,000 for the County Clerk and Recorder office for upgrades to recorder software. The total cost is $568,000. Also approved was appropriation of $1,000,000 for the purchase of property and building improvements. The County Board of Health plans to acquire a building along Blohm Avenue and to relocate some Health Department operations now located in rented space in the Lincolnland Building. Health Department Administrator Jeff Workman said the acquisition would be in lieu of plans to expand at the current Health Department offices on Virginia Avenue. The County earlier acquired lots to the east from Prompt Care, but Workman said the land would still be available to the County should further expansion be necessary.

The Board also approved the purchase of an additional vehicle for the sheriff's department for $36,261, the same price as for earlier-ordered vehicles. A vehicle was damaged in a car-deer crash, so some of the cost will come from the insurance settlement from that crash. Board members also appointed city fire chief Brant Yochum to another term on the county 911 board and retired deputy coroner Rick Manford to the ambulance oversight committee replacing Matt Sager.

County Treasurer Paula Miller said certified letters will be going out to 626 property owners who are delinquent on paying their property taxes. Miller said the County tax sale will take place on January 12th. 

Board member Elizabeth Huston was not present for Monday's meeting.