The Effingham County Board will consider adding a new sales tax referendum to the April ballot at Tuesday’s meeting. The tax would allow public safety funds to be freed up for other county expenses such as employee payroll, which is estimated to increase by around $140,000 each year. The number discussed in committee was a quarter-percent tax that would be applied to many purchases in the county. Tax and Fiance Committee Chairman Rob Arnold said the tax would net the county around $1.4 million to be used for public safety projects. The county already has a one quarter-percent sales tax that was implemented to help pay for the County Jail.
The board will also honor Judy Wiethop on her retirement after 40 years of service with the County Clerk’s Office, amend a county ordinance dealing with travel reimbursements, and make several appointments.