Effingham County board adopts FY2026 budget, tax levy and joins downstate major-case squad

The Effingham County Board approved a package of year-end and FY2026 actions at a special meeting in November 2025, adopting the tax levy and salary schedule, approving final fiscal-year payments, approving the FY2026 budget with several adjustments, and authorizing entry into a downstate major-case squad intergovernmental agreement.

The board adopted the tax levy "as proposed," with Chair saying, "we did honor the $20,000 request, for the mental health, and reduce the corporate levy, that amount to honor that request," linking the primary change from earlier drafts to a $20,000 allocation for mental-health services. Norbert Saltwiedel moved to adopt the levy and Jeremy Daithers seconded; the clerk conducted a roll call and the motion carried.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved final payment of bills to close out the fiscal year. Jeremy Daithers moved to approve those payments, Sandy Rich seconded, and a roll call vote carried the motion.

The board also approved the FY2026 salary schedule. Tim Ellis moved to approve the schedule; Mike Buzzard…