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County starts budget work in earnest
Patrick Donahue
Editor
Updated: Apr 29, 2008, 9:00 AM
Published: Apr 7, 2008, 10:25 PM
Effingham County’s staff is beginning work on the fiscal year 2008-09 in earnest.
County staff has met with department heads to go over budget requests for the coming year and a rough draft is in the works.
“We have had some good discussions,” said county finance director Joanna Floyd. “I think most departments are trying to work within the constraints they know we have.”
Meetings with department heads have concluded, and county administrative staffers are going to go over the requests made by agencies.
“The main concern staff has is with the agencies,” interim County Administrator David Crawley said.
Crawley said it would be better for the commissioners to meet with those agencies in order to determine the level of financial support the commissioners wish to give them. Some agencies have requested twice what they were given in last year’s budget.
“If we have supported them in the past, it is reasonable for them to continue to receive support,” said Commissioner Verna Phillips.
But she also warned that there is a limit to the number of agencies and the amount of support the commissioners are willing to give.
“I can’t see adding anyone else and I can’t see adding additional money,” Phillips said, noting the recent legislative push to cap property taxes that is expected to impact county revenues.
Some commissioners are not so eager to continue funding outside agencies.
“If it is not a government entity, government doesn’t need to be supporting it,” said Commissioner Hubert Sapp. Commissioners are expected to receive copies of the budget April 15, giving them a week to go over them before an April 22 workshop.
Two public hearings on the budget are scheduled for May 6 and May 20, with budget approval expected to take place at the June 3 commissioners’ meeting. The millage rate is expected to be set at the June 17 meeting.
Volunteers hold 'Demo Party' to help Rincon Woman Rebuild Storm-Damaged Home
Matt Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations, consults with volunteer Janel Kearney while directing the demolition process. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Mya Taylor
Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 3:11 PM
Published: Aug 28, 2025, 2:43 PM
RINCON, Ga. — Volunteers attended a “demo party” over the weekend to help demolish the interior of 82-year-old Miss Peggy’s home, which was left severely damaged by a storm years ago.
A gloomy forecast and threat of rain did not deter the group from working. When the seven volunteers arrived, they were greeted by Centaur Home Renovations owner Matt Evans, who is leading the renovations. Masks, trash bags and tools were handed out as music played from a large speaker and fans helped keep volunteers cool in the summer heat. Orange arrows painted on the walls directed workers to the areas slated for demolition.
Leigh Carter strips wallpaper as part of the interior demolition of Miss Peggy’s home during a community ‘demo party’ in Rincon. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Leigh Carter, the first to arrive, was one of several who stripped walls and tore out drywall. Carter’s efforts go beyond renovations — she has also driven Miss Peggy to doctor’s appointments and helped her get rehoused last week at Family Promise of Effingham after a brief displacement.
“We want to get Miss Peggy back home in a safe place to live,” Carter said.
Volunteers spread out through the home, removing damaged drywall and hauling debris to a dumpster in the driveway.
“I decided to join because I thought helping somebody would be a good thing to do,” volunteer Sydney Kearney said. “I just thought it would be nice to volunteer.”
Grayson Heaton uses a crowbar to help remove damaged walls during the volunteer demolition day. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Repairs underway
Michael’s Roofing of Meldrim completed the first major repair by rebuilding and installing a new roof. The previous roof had been damaged by a fallen tree, which led to water leaks, mildew and mold spreading through the home.
Now Evans and Centaur Home Renovations are leading the next phase of work. Evans joined volunteers in the demolition and said community support has been growing since news of Miss Peggy’s situation was first reported in the Effingham Herald.
“Since the article was first published, we’ve gotten quite a few reach-outs from people willing to donate their time,” Evans said. “We’ve also had four different dumpster companies donate dumpsters for the cause as well.”
Community organizations are also pitching in. Family Promise and the Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store have pledged to provide furniture and other materials once renovations are complete.
The most recent setback came when the septic tank lids collapsed, causing the system to stop working. Evans said crews are now cleaning the tank and clearing the lines.
Benny Carter tosses an old mattress into a dumpster as part of cleanup efforts at Miss Peggy’s storm-damaged home. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
What’s still needed
“After the demo is completed, we can start looking for more materials we’ll need like lumber, drywall, paint, flooring and more to get the house back together,” Evans said.
Additional materials still needed include:
25 2x4x8 studs
Four sheets of OSB sheathing
Twenty 12-foot deck boards (5/4)
Twelve 12-foot sheets of sheetrock
36-inch vanity
Two toilets
Four ceiling fans
Two bathroom fans
60-inch vanity
60-inch fiberglass tub and surround
60-inch fiberglass shower and surround
1,600 square feet of LVP flooring
36-inch exterior door
Rolls of drywall tape
Buckets of drywall mud
Bags of 20-minute drywall joint compound
100 linear feet of baseboard and quarter round
10 gallons of Kilz or Cover Stain
10–12 gallons of white paint
There is no estimated timeline for completion, as more funds and supplies are needed. The GoFundMe campaign for Miss Peggy’s home renovations has raised more than $1,400.
