The Effingham City Council met to approve a new three year contract for City Administrator Jim Arndt. Arndt has been in the position as since 2010.
“I think we’re all in agreement that Mr. Arndt has done a very good job for the City of Effingham in the role chief operating officer,” Mayor Jeff Bloemker said during the meeting. “I’m absolutely amazed at the volume of work that is covered.”
City Commissioner Merv Gillenwater said that it would be an “honor” to vote to approve the resolution that renews Arndt’s contract. The measure passed unanimously. The new contract will take effect in November.
The City Council also heard a presentation on the application process to create a new enterprise zone that would cover most of Effingham, and parts of Teutopolis, from representatives Andy Hamilton and Jeff Torricelli of the consulting firm Opportunity Alliance. City Economic Development Director Todd Hull explained that an enterprise zone is a state designated area that provides tax incentives to businesses within the zone.
“It’s a designated area that certain state tax exemptions and abatements are available for companies that are looking to expand or to locate in the zone and be constructing a new facility,” Hull said. “It’s a way to spur development and to actually create jobs along with that development.”
According to Hull, the City’s current enterprise zone is set to expire in 2018. The new application will create a new zone that will expand the current zone to include more of Effingham County, including parts of Teutopolis. The state of Illinois only allows a limited number of enterprise zones. The application for the new Effingham zone is due at the end of 2016 with the state expected to make decision on whether or not to approve the new zone in August or September of 2017.