The Effingham County Tax and Finance Committee voted to layover the Central Illinois Public Transportation (CIPD) budget at their meeting Friday morning. CIPT Director Susan Love said they receive matching dollars from the state depending on how many local dollars they are appropriated. With growing demand for public transportation in Effingham County, CIPT needs those dollars to hire more drivers, they already have the buses. “We have crowded buses right now. We have have crowded routes,” Love said. The full amount CIPT is asking for is $89,191 from the County to receive the maximum match of $531,400 from the state. Nothing is finalized until approved by the full board.
Some improvements CIPT is looking to implement include a regularly scheduled route to popular locations around Effingham and bus stops.
The Committee also had further discussion on supporting a workforce improvement survey that will be circulated by the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is asking for $750 from local government bodies to help cover the costs of producing the survey and providing incentives for participants. Chamber President Norma Lansing said that data from the survey would help local businesses and government bodies to attract residents, therefore increasing the tax base. The Committee wouldn’t commit on the amount, but did agree to bring the discussion to the full board which will meet on Monday at 4 p.m. in the county building.