Effingham County Board urges higher state transit match, approves courthouse flooring, ARPA tweak and $1,000 grant-writing allocation

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. — The Effingham County Board on Jan. 21 adopted a resolution urging the State of Illinois to increase the share of operating costs covered by the Downstate Operating Assistance Program (DOAP) from 65% to 75%, saying higher support would let the county expand rural transit service. The board also approved a capital project to replace flooring on the second and third floors of the county building, adjusted an ARPA allocation for four‑way stop signs, and authorized up to $1,000 to pay for grant‑writing assistance for a county revolving loan fund application.

The DOAP resolution was introduced and explained on the floor by Effingham County Board member Norbert Saltweedle, who told the board the county is “leaving approximately $113,000 every year on the table” because current match rules and procurement requirements make it difficult for a single‑county provider to capture all available state funds. "These rides are essential to attend dialysis, shopping needs, and court appointments," Saltweedle said, arguing that a 75% state share would let the county deny fewer ride requests.

Board members approved the resolution by voice vote; Saltweedle made the motion and Doug McCain seconded it. The board indicated the resolution will be sent to Effingham County's state representatives and that other rural counties may be asked to join the request.

The board also approved a contract change to replace flooring on the county building’s second and third floors. County staff presented a revised bid that added the nine back stairwell landings to the scope for continuity with the front stair landings. The update increased the previously approved package ($22,806.60) by $4,445 to a total of $26,504, funded from the capital improvement allocation. Saltweedle moved the measure; Doug McCain seconded. A roll call vote recorded unanimous approval by present board members.

In ARPA business, the board approved a technical reduction to an earlier allocation for four‑way stop signs, trimming the award by $408.95—from $8,060.00 to $7,651.05—to cover a $701 shelf purchase elsewhere in the ARPA program. The change was moved by Doug McCain, seconded by Chris Keller, and passed on a roll call.

The board also authorized up to $1,000 to hire South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission to prepare part of a state revolving loan fund grant application (the county is applying for up to $99,000). David Campbell moved the disbursement; Chris Keller seconded. County officials said the local revolving loan fund currently has limited capital to lend and that new state funds would expand lending capacity to help local businesses.

Other consent and administrative items were approved during the meeting, including the formal retirement resolution for Cindy Daters of the Effingham County Health Department. Jeremy Daters moved the retirement resolution; Doug McCain seconded. The board carried the resolution by voice vote and presented Daters with a plaque.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution urging increase in DOAP operating share to 75%: motion Norbert Saltweedle; second Doug McCain; outcome: approved (voice vote). Reason: enable more rural transit service and reduce denied ride requests; staff to send resolution to state representatives.

- Resolution honoring Cindy Daters on retirement after 35 years: motion Jeremy Daters; second Doug McCain; outcome: approved (voice vote); plaque presented.

- County building flooring replacement (second and third floors, plus added back stair landings): motion Norbert Saltweedle; second Doug McCain; outcome: approved (roll call unanimous). Total approved: $26,504; funding: capital improvement allocation.

- ARPA adjustment — reduce four‑way stop sign award by $408.95 (from $8,060.00 to $7,651.05): motion Doug McCain; second Chris Keller; outcome: approved (roll call unanimous).

- Up to $1,000 disbursement to South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission for grant‑writing for a revolving loan fund grant application: motion David Campbell; second Chris Keller; outcome: approved (roll call unanimous).

What this means

County leaders said a larger DOAP match from the state would let Effingham County Public Transportation accept more local service contracts and reduce the number of denied ride requests for dialysis, medical, shopping and court trips. The flooring work is a capital expense intended to make contiguous surfaces and landings match across multiple floors and to avoid multiple disruptions. ARPA and grant‑writing decisions were described as technical budget updates and investments to pursue new state revolving loan dollars for small businesses.

Meeting context and next steps

The board indicated it will forward the DOAP resolution to the county’s state legislative delegation and expects to coordinate with other rural counties. Staff will schedule the flooring work under the capital improvements budget and proceed with procurement and vendor scheduling. The county will contract with South Central for grant support if the authorized up to $1,000 is needed to complete the loan fund application by the mid‑February deadline.