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 seconded and the motion carried on roll call.

On the budget, the chair reviewed changes reflected in the electronic packet before the vote: a modest net levy increase noted as $0.08 in the packet, a $10,000 reduction to board per diem as a savings measure, a one-time $500 travel increase for attendance at a NAGO conference, liability-insurance adjustments following open-enrollment quotes, a roughly $1,872 salary adjustment in the state's attorney's office, and reconfigurations of earmarks tied to the opioid settlement fund. After discussion, the board voted to approve the FY2026 budget as presented.

A board member raised concerns about animal-control funding, noting the county budgeted $35,000 last year while collecting about $6,000 in adoption/fee revenue and saying the county had added roughly $15,000–$20,000 to expenditures for animal control. The member suggested reviewing adoption fees and questioned whether the shelter's no-kill policy contributed to animals remaining unadopted; no immediate policy change was adopted and the point remained a topic for follow-up.

The board authorized the county to enter an intergovernmental criminal-justice service-assistance agreement to participate in a Downstate Major Case Squad. The Sheriff described the squad as a regional investigative unit designed to pool investigators from neighboring agencies for major crimes; the Sheriff said the unit is still in formative stages but that Effingham County would both offer and could receive assistance. Dave Campbell moved to approve the agreement, Sandy Rich seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Elected-official reports followed: the clerk thanked the board for budget approvals related to her office; the Sheriff said contract language is being drafted and may be available in about a week; Deb reported that delinquent taxes will be published and that tax sales are scheduled next month; Coroner Kim Rhodes and county engineer Greg offered brief updates and holiday travel reminders.

No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. Jeremy Daithers moved to adjourn; Tim Ellis seconded and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Final payment of bills — Mover: Jeremy Daithers; Second: Sandy Rich; Outcome: approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes). - FY2026 salary schedule — Mover: Tim Ellis; Second: Mike Buzzard; Outcome: approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes). - Tax levy adoption (includes $20,000 mental-health allocation) — Mover: Norbert Saltwiedel; Second: Jeremy Daithers; Outcome: approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes). - FY2026 budget — Mover: Dave Campbell; Second: Doug McCain; Outcome: approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes). - Downstate Major Case Squad agreement — Mover: Dave Campbell; Second: Sandy Rich; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Adjournment — Mover: Jeremy Daithers; Second: Tim Ellis; Outcome: approved (voice vote).

The board did not take public testimony and did not move into closed session. The meeting ended after the votes and brief elected-official reports, with next steps implied for follow-up on animal-control funding and Sheriff contract language.