Community News
Benld Council adopts $2.1 million appropriation for fiscal year
Members of the Benld City Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt an annual appropriation ordinance limiting expenditures for the current fiscal year to $2,144,662. The appropriation for fiscal 2023 is nearly double the typical appropriation for the City of Benld primarily because of a $640,000 sewer improvement project expected to get underway later this summer.
The annual appropriation is required by law for Illinois municipalities. It is not a budgetary device, though many municipalities use it as such. Technically, the appropriation sets the maximum total of expenditures the council can authorize from specific funds. An appropriation for a specific amount does not necessarily mean the council will spend that much from that particular fund; it merely sets a ceiling for expenditures from specific funds.
The newly approved ordinance, setting spending limits for expenditures made during the fiscal year that began May 1, appropriates $632,200 from the General Fund. Proprietary Fund expenditures are limited to $1,414,122, with Motor Fuel Tax fund expenditures limited to $98,342.
Appropriations from the General Fund are broken down as follows: Administration: $34,762, compared with $38,367 last year; City Property: $148,009, compared with $144,895.50 last year; and Police: $260,895, compared with $228,965 last year. The ordinance appropriates $138,275 for Maintenance, plus $5,000 for the annual audit, $1,300 for the Municipal Band, $1,400 for the City Cemetery, $30,000 for Legal Fees, $3,500 for the Public Library and $7,859 for Parks.
Proprietary funds are funds that include fees collected from taxpayers and can be only used for specific purposes. Under Proprietary Funds, the ordinance appropriates $757,420 for the Sewer Department, which includes $640,0000 in Capital Outlays. Capital Outlay expenditures primarily are comprised of anticipated spending in connection with a sewer improvement project on the city’s east side, which includes expenditures of $279,474 from the Atrazine Fund and $505,000 in grant funds. The ordinance appropriates $528,700 for the Water Department and $128,000 for Trash Pick-Up.
A separate appropriation for Motor Fuel Tax appropriates $98,342 for street maintenance, engineering costs and participation in cost-sharing projects with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Documentation submitted by the Finance Committee in conjunction with the actual appropriation indicates the General Fund had a beginning balance of $553,22 on May 1 and expects revenue of $615,000. With expected expenditures of $632,200, the General Fund is expected to end the fiscal year with a balance of $536,328.
The Proprietary Fund started the year with $427,999 in the bank. Expected income is estimated at $1,201,000, including the $505,000 in grant funds and an injection of $276,000 from the Atrazine Fund. With expenditures limited to $1,414,120, the fund is expected to end the year $214,880 in the black.
For the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the beginning balance was $141,075. Revenue is projected at $56,000 with anticipated expenditures of $98,342. An end-of-the-year balance of $98,733 is expected.
Earlier in the meeting, it was reported that work is expected to begin on the sewer improvement project later this month or in early August. The council accepted a bid of $620,000 from Haier Plumbing and Heating, Okawville, in May. The project calls for replacing approximately 3,400 feet of deteriorating sewer lines and relining 1,600 feet of sewer lines that can be salvaged with repairs. The project is expected to be completed by Christmas.
In a related matter, the council accepted the resignation of the city’s sewer operator Randy Gross and voted to advertise for applicants to replace Gross. Mayor Kelly said he has contacted a couple of people who are licensed and are interested in the position. Gross has agreed to stay long enough to train his successor.
WATER ISSUES
Mayor Kelly said the City of Gillespie is flushing hydrants in Gillespie in an effort to resolve long-standing issues with discolored water. Once the flushing is complete, Kelly said Benld should drain and flush the city water tower. Gillespie Mayor John Hicks said the city will not be charged for water to refill the tower, so the Water Department should take a reading before and after the tower is drained. Local water users will receive a notice via Facebook, WSMI and the marquee sign at the Fire Department.
MOTOR FUEL TAX BIDS
The council accepted the engineer’s recommendation to award bids for this summer’s Motor Fuel Tax street maintenance program. Successful bidders are Illini Road Oil, LLC, to provide road oil at a cost of $2.93 per gallon; Beelman Logistics, LLC, to provide rock at a cost of $21.19 per ton; and DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to spread the rock at a cost of $24.50 per ton.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Voted to purchase a backup gas pump for the lift stations.
- Voted to renew the city’s Dram Shop insurance at a cost of $625.
- Voted to pay property taxes on city-owned properties at 202 and 204 East Central Avenue, and 109 South Fourth Street.
- Voted to spend $3,200 to remove several dead trees located on the boulevard.
- Voted to seal the north/south roadway through the City Park at a cost of $1,800.
- Voted to approve a bid of $2,600 for repairs to the Civic Center exterior.
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The Wilsonville Progressive Club will celebrate and host a 90 year Anniversary Party on Saturday, May 11. The party will include a catered dinner, a live band, and fireworks.
Doors will open at 2 pm with a catered dinner being served at 4 pm. The Shane Kessinger Experience (live band) will play at 5 pm, and a grand fireworks display will be held at dusk.
The Progressive Club was originally established in 1934 by the Progressive Miners and was located on the northwest side of Wilsonville’s main street. The Club moved to their new building in January of 1949 and today this is still the current location at 212 Wilson Street in Wilsonville.
Wilsonville was founded in 1917 when Superior Coal Co. Mine No. 4 was sunk and this was the most modern mine in the Superior field. At that time, the little settlement which grew up around the mine was called Wilson. One day a worker paused and asked, “What are we going to name this town?” President Wilson was in office, thus the town was then and there named Wilson until 1919 when it was incorporated and the name expanded to Wilsonville.
The Wilsonville Progressive Club is operated and maintained by an elected panel of trustees and loyal members. The Club is open to the public and membership is always welcome. The large outdoor covered pavilion and manicured grassy side lot offer an attractive and convenient venue for any event along with inside facilities.
If you are interested in renting for any kind of event, call 217-835-3122 during open hours which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 pm to close, and Sunday doors open at 2 pm. Every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm is the Queen of Hearts drawing and the Club is on Facebook as well.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Oak Street in reference to a dog bite.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street to pick up a found item.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a burglary.
An officer was out in the 200 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a motorist assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Schmidt Street in reference to a 911 call.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 1st Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical call.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to illegal burning.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Horizon Street in reference to a 911 call.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to a theft in the 100 block of South Main Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Osie Street in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
Nicholas O. Landolt, 36, of Gillespie was arrested on multiple warrants including one out of St. Clair County for possession for methamphetamine, a second one out of Montgomery County for failure to appear for driving while license was revoked, and a third out of Macoupin County for failure to appear for methamphetamine.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Broadway Street in reference to a medical alarm.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to her property.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to identity theft.
An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a neighbor dispute.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Southern Street in reference to a suspicious person.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to criminal damage to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property. Melissa J. Hughes, 49, of Benld was arrested on a Montgomery County warrant for theft/larceny.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 700 block of Rose Street in Benld.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 5th Street in Benld in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street to assist the Department of Children and Family Services.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Central Avenue in Benld in reference to a 911 call.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 200 block of South Macoupin.
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Staunton Road in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer was dispatched to High Street and Gillespie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of High Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was flagged down at Elm Street and Clinton Street and spoke with an individual in reference to a civil issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
An officer was dispatched to a business in the 400 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a panic alarm sounding.
An officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Second Street in reference to a civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a dog bite. Heather L. Kimberlin, 47, of Gillespie was issued a citation for dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was out with a suspicious vehicle in the alley in the 500 block of Park Avenue.
An officer was dispatched to East Walnut and South Main Street in Benld in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the Veterans Memorial Park in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle that had been parked there for a couple of days.
Gillespie Police Department was requested for traffic control by the Gillespie Fire Department for a fire on Eagarville Road.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a traffic crash.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Street in Gillespie in reference to a juvenile issue.
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person at the storage units. Kathy J. Henderson, 49, of Sawyerville was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for failure to appear for bad checks
An officer initiated a traffic stop at Maple Street and Macoupin Street. Kenny L. Fults, 18, of Belleville was issued a citation for possession of cannabis.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of Mt. Olive Road in Eagarville in reference to civil standby.
An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Burton Street in reference to an animal complaint.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespassing. Timothy J. Dalpozzo, 57, of Benld was arrested for criminal trespassing to residence and a Macoupin County warrant for criminal trespassing to a residence.
An officer initiated a traffic stop at South Street and Chestnut Street and charges are pending crime lab results.
An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to Macoupin Street and Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Osie Street in reference to a dog at large.
An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 8th Street in Benld in reference to medical assist.
An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious person.
An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.
An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a medical call.
An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to an ordinance issue.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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LITCHFIELD, Ill. — HSHS St. Francis Hospital is offering service opportunities to area teens this summer through the 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. Applications are being accepted now through May 1.
Applicants must be high school students maintaining at least a “C” average, be a minimum of 14 years of age by June 1 and be willing to volunteer at least two hours per week during the summer program. Junior volunteers will perform a variety of duties in various hospital departments.
Registration materials are available on the hospital’s website volunteer page at https://www.hshs.org/st-francis/community/volunteer.
All participants in the program will be required to present proof of immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and Varicella (chicken pox). An additional requirement includes attendance at a hospital orientation.
A limited number of positions will be available. For more information, contact HSHS St. Francis Hospital at 217-324-8200.
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