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Effingham County approves $9,000 hotel‑motel grant for Mill Road Thresherman's event after debate
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Summary
After questions about specific line items and budget pressure, the Effingham County Board approved a $9,000 hotel‑motel funding disbursement to the Mill Road Thresherman's Association for its planned FFA and Family Day events, with a requirement for a post‑event report.
The Effingham County Board on a roll call vote approved a $9,000 hotel‑motel fund disbursement to the Mill Road Thresherman's Association after members debated whether the association's request warranted the full $10,000 it sought.
The board pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion. Jeremy Daithers, who requested the pull, said he wanted members to review the association's updated application and the expenditure breakdown. Taylor Feldkamp, treasurer for the Mill Road Thresherman's Association, told the board, “For the FFA day, that is something new we're doing this year. We are inviting all of section 20, so that's roughly 15 chapters,” and that the requested funds would pay for demonstration stations, equipment and youth activities including a pedal tractor pull and a tractor‑driving school.
Board members pressed for specifics about attendance and line‑item justification. Chair Josh Douthat said a post‑event report will be required under the new process to document attendance and how funds were spent. Commissioner Mike Buzzard moved to approve $9,000 rather than $10,000, noting concern about fireworks and other county budget pressures; Norbert Saltwiedel seconded the motion. Following discussion about prior years' funding levels and the county's hotel‑motel budget, the motion carried.
Supporters said the event draws families and out‑of‑county visitors who contribute to local lodging revenue; critics said incremental increases risk becoming recurring operating support rather than seed funding for discrete projects. The board's approval requires the association to submit the requested post‑event report documenting attendance and expenditures.
The board's action resolves the pulled consent agenda item and authorizes county staff to process the $9,000 disbursement to the Mill Road Thresherman's Association.
