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A farmers' consortium has been
diligently working a couple of years on plans to build an ethanol
plant here in Logan County. Illini Bio-Energy is currently in the
process of raising funds and has chosen a site. They have been in
negotiations with landowners for property north of Lincoln, just
outside city limits. The group has met with county and city
officials to discuss financial benefits and requirements.
The company is now faced with a little
pressure to get established. Another ethanol plant already in
operation in Burlington, Iowa, has made contact with the county.
They are looking to expand and have begun fund-raising meetings.
Lincoln and Logan community leaders
are touring the Iowa facility today (Thursday, Jan. 20).
Development partnership director Rob
Orr received notice that the governor's office has now turned their
focus on what to do with the remaining former LDC grounds. Four
10-bed cottages for mentally handicapped will soon be built on a
portion of the campus. Now the focus is on economic development for
rest of the grounds. The state has taken more tours to evaluate the
buildings and grounds.
In other
business
County businesses with video gaming
machines have not been responding to the new license requirements.
Notices will be sent out to businesses this month. The sheriff will
begin issuing fines to those that have not complied.
Get your
flu shots
Vaccine for 180 flu shots is
available at the Logan County Health Department. Loosened
restrictions still apply.
["Flu
vaccine opened to more groups"]
Information migration
The first phase of the new
comprehensive computer system is completed. Paying county employees
was top on the list of work to be done. The first payroll has gone
out and with no apparent hitches, which is a relief to the county
treasurer, Mary Ellen Bruns.
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Bruns reported that the new system
changeover and data entry are progressing in her office. It has been
a lot of work but not more than expected, she said. They had to put
in some extra hours. Her next goal is to get their property
assessment website back up online. She hopes it will be soon.
First, reports are being developed.
The new system is expected to produce more timely and usable monthly
reports. The reports will be used to provide a better reading of the
county's financial position rather than having to wait on the yearly
audit, which falls about the seventh month of the fiscal year -- too
far into the year to do anything about it, board members have said.
The ability to monitor the budget with more accuracy and to predict
where finances will be before they are there will help the financial
decision-making process. This is especially important during tight
times, Chuck Ruben and Dale Voyles have said.
Reports can be made to look any way
we want them, county coordinator Dewey Coulter said. He said that he
has been in touch with a couple of other counties about how they do
their reports.
Kudos
Chuck Fricke, former Logan County
coroner, was honored in a brief ceremony on Thursday evening during
the Logan County Board meeting. Dale Voyles presented a plaque
signed by board chairman Bob Farmer, expressing appreciation for
Fricke's four years of service as coroner.
During his term Fricke brought many
changes to the office. Of particular note was the improvement in
technology. He sought out grants that allowed computers and other
equipment to be brought up to date, which increased efficiency of
the department.
Fricke, who first apologized because
he had a bad cold, responded by saying that he appreciated the
dedicated professionals and the committee he had to work with. "It
made it only easier," he said. "Thank you very much."
[Jan
Youngquist]
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