Committee advances multiple ARPA disbursements, approves fair support and forwards tax distribution to full board

The Effingham County Tax and Finance Committee handled a series of administrative and ARPA items, approving or advancing several measures to the full county board and hearing public updates on local programs.

Fire radios: initial $247,800 invoice
Committee members discussed the status of the county's fire radio project and agreed to forward an initial invoice of $247,800 from GTSI to the full board for disbursement. "Moved by Jeremy and seconded by Sandy to approve the initial payment of $247,800," the chair said; the motion was carried by voice vote.

TREC Trail maintenance invoices
A request to pay maintenance invoices out of a $20,000 earmark for the TREC Trail (about $11,000 in billed work) was presented and voted to be forwarded to the full board for payment.

Farm Bureau broadband study funds returned
County staff reported that GEO Partners told the Farm Bureau a county-funded broadband design study was not required. The Effingham County Farm Bureau asked to release $8,593.15 back into the ARPA general line; the committee voted to recover that amount and recommend it to the full board.

Hope United referral
A Hope United ARPA request for educational programming was discussed amid turnover in leadership and incomplete reporting. The committee voted to refer the request back to the 708 committee for further review rather than approve disbursement today.

Tablets for county board members
County staff demonstrated an iPad-based packet workflow and recommended purchasing 10 iPads and covers. The committee voted to earmark $3,000 of ARPA funds for the pilot purchase of tablets and covers; members asked staff to draft a policy on loss, damage, and storage before full implementation.

Fair support and hotel/motel funds
Representatives of the Effingham County Fair thanked the county for ARPA support for carnival infrastructure and requested continued financial support. The committee approved a $5,000 contribution from hotel/motel tax receipts for a full-page fairbook ad and signage and noted the money can be earmarked to support security or other fair needs.

Personal property replacement tax distribution
County staff presented the 2023 personal property replacement tax receipts of $677,029.04 and the recommended distribution among taxing districts. The committee voted to send the resolution to the full board for final approval.

Public reports
Kevin reported that ARPA-funded Meals on Wheels expanded service capacity and credited county funding for enabling an additional 19,000 meals served; in January the program served roughly 398 individuals and delivered 4,959 meals. Courtney announced the next PAVE community breakfast on April 18 in Altamont. Committee members also discussed a planned bus stop shelter and bench (estimated $1,500) with a matching contribution expected from the F & M Rotary Club.

Next steps
Several items approved by the committee will be carried to the full Effingham County Board for final action; staff will prepare procurement details and policy language where requested.