For the second month in a row, the Central Illinois Land Bank has failed to receive funding support from the Finance and Personnel Committee of the Vermilion County Board. Bill Pickett has more….
The Land Bank was requesting $75-thousand dollars in ARPA money to help with office expenses. ‘’It’s a small price to pay for all the work we do,’’ said Wes Bieritz of the Land Bank. It’s a body that helps in the demolition of dilapidated structures in Vermilion, Champaign and Macon counties.
Dr. Bieritz was asked what would happen if Vermilion County fails to pitch-in the $75,000….
[AUDIO: “After the present round of monies that are benefiting the southern communities down there – about $340-thousand dollars – that would be it. And there won’t be any more. You’ll have to do your own. If you want to hire your own professional, you can. If you want to do it by volunteers – you can do that, but good luck.”]
Some County Board members want the county to go back to running its own Land Bank, instead of being linked to Champaign and Macon counties. Vermilion County Treasurer Darren Duncan also thinks the county should have its own Land Bank. He suggested the county be part of a pilot program where the Land Bank would become the (delinquent) tax sale agent for the county. Duncan said he is excited about the idea, which he says is already working in some other counties.
The City of Danville does not participate in the Land Bank program. It has its own demolition program.
