Robert Verdun Superintendent of Shelbyville Community Unit Schools addressed the Shelby County Board about the proposed one percent sales tax to be used exclusively for the schools. This tax is much like the Safety Tax which failed twice by Shelby County voters. The tax is a retailers’ occupation tax and service occupation tax.

Verdun explained that the funds derived from this tax would abate property tax.

“If this referendum passes it will ease the burden of property taxes,” said Verdun. “Students will have the opportunity to attend more modern energy efficient school buildings. The school buildings will have additional funding with which they can maintain their buildings.”

County Engineer Allan Spesard gave the board his Highway Engineer’s Report. Spesard asked the board to approve three resolutions. Those resolutions were:

Replace a tank car with a pipe in Rose Township at an estimated cost of $6,500.

Replace a small bridge with a pipe in Pickaway Township at an estimated cost of $4,000.

Replace a bridge in Holland Township at an estimated cost of $420,000 of which 80 percent will be paid by federal dollars and 16 percent by state dollars and the county and township will split the remaining 4 percent.

All three resolutions were approved.

Spesard then advised the board that the bid on a railroad crossing approach located south of the village of Sigel was let.

“The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved 100 percent funding for this approach work project that was bid,” said Spesard. “They are also going to put gates and lights at this crossing.”

Spesard next informed the board that he would like to extend the cold storage building at the Highway Department. He explained the funds for the building were already in his budget. The two bay extension will cost $49,250. This was approved.

Spesard also told the board he held the fall Highway Conference and had approximately 40 attendees.

The next item was a Zoning Report. Zoning Administrator Dennis Harris said he issued 12 permits, 3 for new residences; 2 for residential additions and 7 for accessory buildings.

Harris also asked the board to approve an ordinance providing for the placement of communications towers and antennae. This was approved.

The Shelby County Health Administrator Stephen Melega gave the board an update on House Bill 170 and H1N1. House Bill 170 is the Private Sewage Disposal Act which prohibits the installation of surface discharging septic systems without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.