Effingham County commissioners agreed informally to proceed with an $80,000 master plan and schematic design for the new central recreation complex.
“We’ve spent a lot of money and we’ve made some promises and I want to see it moving,” Chairman Wendall Kessler said at the commission’s May 5 meeting.
CHA Sports would create a master plan, with a layout and rendering of the entire facility. A schematic design would be done for the first phase, including basic design information on such things as drainage, utilities, lighting and fencing.
Commissioners told County Administrator Toss Allento move forward with the study. They are expected to consider it for a formal vote on May 19.
Also at the May 5 meeting, commissioners agreed unanimously to approve a merger of the county and Springfield fire departments.
The county and city have been working on a merger for several months, with the goals of saving money and improving service.
Under the agreement, Springfield’s three full-time firefighters will become county employees, with Springfield Fire Chief Travis Zittrouer becoming a battalion chief.
Effingham County will collect fire fees from properties in Springfield, at a rate equal to the fees charged in unincorporated parts of the county.
If Springfield approves the merger at their Tuesday meeting, it will go into effect July 1.
The county’s draft budget, which commissioners discussed at their May 5 meeting, calls for the three firefighters from Springfield as well as an additional six firefighters.
The $27.5 million budget is 2.6 percent higher than last year and would not cause a tax increase.
In addition to the nine new firefighters, it includes longevity raises for all county employees and $25,000 more than last year for the libraries.
In other action on May 5, commissioners agreed unanimously to approve a sketch plan by Gregg Howze for a 26-lot subdivision on Ralph Rahn Road, which is dirt.
Howze agreed to give the county a 60-foot right-of-way for the road.
To read more about the budget, go to www.effinghamnow.com