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Story category: Champaign County
Champaign County Moves to One Administrator
Story air date: Friday, June 19, 2009
For 11 years, Champaign County government has had two administrators -- Deb Busey to look after staffing and finance and Denny Inman to take care of procurement and facilities. But that will change October 1st. The Champaign County Board has voted to switch to a single-administrator system, and to put Busey in the job. After the vote, Busey talked with AM 580’s Jim Meadows about the challenges ahead and about the controversial clause in her contract that bars county board members from publicly criticizing her job performance. But first, Busey talked about the prospect of becoming the county’s sole administrator after sharing duties with Denny Inman for over a decade.
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government • Champaign CountyELECTION 2008: Voters Say No to Tax Referenda
Story air date: Wednesday, November 05, 2008
If you're a Champaign County resident who fears rising tax bills during a shaky economy, the resuults from the general elections are good -- all four tax hike questions on the ballot were defeated. Townships, school districts and the county forest preserve district sought the tax increases. But in every case, the answer from voters was no. AM 580's Jim Meadows reports.
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business • education • government • Champaign County • elections • politics • taxationELECTION 2008: An Incumbent and a Challenger for State's Attorney
Story air date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz says a change in philosophy has allowed some of those who go through the justice system to take responsibility for what they've done, recover and get on with their lives. But challenger Janie Miller-Jones disagrees with that assessment and says the office needs to do more to prevent crime to begin with. AM 580's Jeff Bossert previews the race for State's Attorney.
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crime • government • Champaign County • politicsELECTION 2008: The Next County Auditor
Story air date: Monday, October 27, 2008
The two candidates for Champaign County Auditor say county finances are on shaky ground, and the global economic crisis may make matters worse. Each candidate says they’re the best choice to keep an eye on those finances for the next four years. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.
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government • Champaign County • politics • taxationELECTION 08: Raising the Sales Tax for Schools
Story air date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Frustration with state government over education funding reform has led to the call for a higher sales tax in Champaign County. The county’s 14 school boards promise local property tax relief if voters approve a one-percent hike in the county’s sales tax. As AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports, it’s generated some uneasiness – even among some people who say schools need more money.
