Effingham County commissioners approve slate of board and commission appointments

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners approved a series of appointments to local boards and commissions during the meeting.

Commissioners voted, by voice, to appoint Jonathan Pahoke to the 9-1-1 board to fill a member-at-large seat; the board also approved Larry Teese to the 9-1-1 board and reappointed members to the Board of Health, Airport Commission and several farm-assessment and review panels. Each appointment was moved and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: these volunteer and advisory bodies make decisions on emergency communications, public health and property assessment reviews that affect county operations and services.

Appointment details

- 9-1-1 board: Jonathan Pahoke appointed to fill member-at-large seat (term references in packet: 7/1/25 to 6/30/28); Larry Teese approved for the 9-1-1 board.

- Board of Health: Dr. Tina Rosin and Karen Hilly were appointed/reappointed for terms (packet references showed 7/1/25 to 6/30/27). Vicky Buscher was also appointed to the Board of Health.

- Airport Commission: Phil Toops appointed (term listed in packet 7/1/25 to 6/30/28).

- Farm Assessment Review Board and related panels: Joe Taylor, John Beckman and Lyle Westfall were appointed for terms shown in the meeting packet; motions to approve were passed by voice vote.

- Fire protection district: Scott Bridal Levy (term listed in packet 6/16/25 to 5/1/28) was approved for a seat with his district.

Action taken: For each named appointment the board made a motion and approved it by voice vote; the transcript records “All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.” for each item.

Meeting context: commissioners noted that filling these seats was “the biggest buzz” they’d had in a while and that having seats filled would improve board functioning.