Community News
Benld Council votes to seek tax increase for underfunded Police Department
On the recommendation of Doug Ratermann, an engineer with HMG Engineers, the council voted unanimously to approve a $55,000 Motor Fuel Tax appropriation for the coming year.
Benld voters will have an opportunity to tell the city council whether or not they favor increasing the property tax rate to shore up the city’s financially troubled police department. Members of the City Council voted unanimously Monday night to place a referendum on the April consolidated election ballot asking to increase in the Police Protection levy from 0.1642 percent to 0.6 percent. If approved, the increase is expected to generate about $40,000 in additional tax revenue for the police department.
City Attorney Rick Verticchio, who presented language to appear on the ballot, said the increase would amount to about 44 cents per $100 in equalized assessed valuation. For the owner of a home with a $50,000 assessed valuation, the tax hike would mean about $240 annually in increased property tax. The owner of a home with a $20,000 assessed valuation, which would be more typical in Benld, would pay an additional $88 a year in taxes.
The owner of a home with a $20,000 assessed valuation, which would be more typical in Benld, would pay an additional $88 a year in taxes.
Ald. Peyton Bernot moved to place the measure on the ballot after several minutes of discussion. Ald. Lance Cooper seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously by the council. Ald. Mickey Robinson was absent.
The possibility of seeking a tax increase for the benefit of the police department has been under discussion since the council first announced it might consider disbanding the police department because the department’s expenditures consistently outstrip revenue. Dozens of city residents attended a public meeting in August to hear a proposed plan to contract with the City of Gillespie to provide police protection in lieu of maintaining a local department. Most of those attending the meeting objected to the plan.
A recently accepted city audit indicated that the police department expenditures exceeded revenues by about $60,000 last year. But Ald. Jim Tilashalski told council members Monday night that he believes the deficit actually is much greater. He distributed a worksheet suggesting the police department’s expenditures last year approached $278,000, compared with revenues of $46,000. He alleged the gap between expenditures and revenue is about $232,000.
“I’m giving you what I think are the true numbers,” Tilashalski said. “Forty thousand dollars is like a spit in the ocean.”
City Attorney Rick Verticchio told the council Monday night that another option would be to seek a referendum to increase the city’s corporate tax with the intent to use the proceeds for the police department. That option, however, would generate much less in new revenue.
“The corporate rate is such that if you take it to the maximum rate, you’d only get about $10,000 in additional tax revenue,” Verticchio said. Moreover, even though the council is committed to using the additional tax dollars for police protection, corporate taxes can be used for any purpose and are not legally linked to police protection.
“This council has said it’s going to use the money for police protection,” Verticchio explained. “The next council may not want to do that.”
Revenue raised via the Police Protection levy can be used only for that purpose. If the Benld police department were disbanded, Verticchio said, the new funds could legally be used to pay for a police protection contract with Gillespie. However, if the city opted to rely on the County Sheriff’s Department for police protection, essentially eliminating any local expenditures for police, it would be prohibited from levying any tax for that purpose.
“By the way,” Verticchio added, “if you put it on the ballot, you don’t have to do it. You’d just have the right to do it.”
“We obviously have a cash flow problem in the police department,” Bernot commented. “It’s either raise taxes or cut the police department.” He characterized the potential tax hike as “step No. 1” in the process of salvaging the police department. The council, he said, should continue to look at strategies to cut expenses in the police department. “We don’t have to wait until April to see if it passes or not,” Bernot noted. “We can continue to cut. The people who are going to vote for this expect us to do that.”
Verticchio agreed, saying the solution to the police department problems most likely will involve belt tightening along with new revenue. “You can continue to do these things (cost-cutting measures) and in combination with the new revenue and say, ‘this might work’,” he said. “But this is the only way you’re going to get more money.”
Ald. Tilashalski suggested having a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for reducing police department expenditures. “We need to sit down and look at what’s going out every month,” added Ald. Teressa Tucker. “You’ll be very surprised (what is spent on) just the basics—the cars, the gas, the uniforms.”
Ald. Tucker said the majority of constituents in her ward are older residents who are “not happy” about the possibility of increasing their property tax liability.
“There are some people for it and some people against it, like with anything else,” Ald. Cooper said of his constituents. “I think the majority wants to keep our police force intact and not have to go to the county or Gillespie. No one wants their taxes to be raised, but this lets them have a voice.”
Following the votes, two residents attending the meeting expressed doubts about the prospective tax hike. Michelle Hall said increasing property taxes “makes absolutely no sense,” given the number of low income residents and derelict properties in the community.
“How many people in Benld are actually property owners?” asked Jim Carpani. “Half the properties in town are rental properties.” He said landlords will pass the increase on to their tenants, many of whom will not be able to afford the increased rent rates.
MOTOR FUEL TAX APPROPRIATION
On the recommendation of Doug Ratermann, an engineer with HMG Engineers, the council voted unanimously to approve a $55,000 Motor Fuel Tax appropriation for the coming year. The appropriation is based on estimates of what the city will require for road oil, cold patch and rock for next summer’s street maintenance program.
“This (appropriation) is always more than you actually spend,” Ratermann explained. “You don’t have that amount in your Motor Fuel Tax account right now. This is aligned with your monthly allotments to reflect what you will have for the year.”
The newly approved appropriation will be submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation for approval at the state level.
Ratermann also asked the council to adjust the city’s policy regarding bids for state-funded street projects to reflect newly enacted rules at the state level. He said the said the state formerly required a bid process for any contracts exceeding $20,000. That ceiling recently was increased to $25,000.
“Road oil is the only thing we’ve been bidding out because we’re always bumping right at $20,000,” he said. The more liberal bidding requirement will enable the city to buy road oil without seeking bids. The new policy is limited to expenditures from state and federal road funds.
OPEN MEETINGS POLICY CHANGE
Based on a recommendation from the Illinois Attorney General’s office, the council voted to change its policy in regards to hearing comments from members of the public. Verticchio said a resident filed a complaint with the Attorney General several months ago and while the Attorney General ’s office found no fault on the part of the city, it took issue with the city’s formal policy on hearing from residents.
City policy previously required residents to sign up by Friday for an opportunity to address the council on during its regular meeting on the following Monday.
“We all know that as a practical matter that if someone shows up on Monday and wants to talk, we let them talk,” Verticchio said. He said the Attorney General recommended changing the policy so that “if you show up at the meeting and give the clerk your name, you can talk—which is what we’ve always done anyway.”
LIABILITY INSURANCE BID
On a motion by Cooper, seconded by Ald. Brian Frensko, the council voted to award the contract for the city’s liability insurance to the Illinois Municipal League’s shared risk insurance program. The Municipal League offered a bid of $30,218 to cover the city.
One other bid was slightly less—$29,580—but Mayor Jim Kelly noted that policy had a $1,000 deductible and did not include bond coverage for city alderman, which would cost an estimated $900. The Municipal League policy, on the other hand, includes bonding for city officials and has a $500 deductible.
“My recommendation would be that we stay with the Illinois Municipal League,” Kelly said.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Adopted an ordinance that enables the Public Library to summon police to recover chronically unreturned books and to make the borrower responsible for both the cost of replacing the book and the cost of dispatching a police officer. Ald. Tilashalski said the new ordinance is similar to policies in place for patrons of the Gillespie Public Library.
- Voted to appoint Denise Cadmus to fill a vacancy on the Benld Public Library Board of Trustees.
- Approved Christmas bonuses of $125 for full-time employees and $75 for part-time workers.
- Agreed to host a holiday luncheon, catered by Fema’s, for city officials and employees at noon Christmas Eve and to close city offices at noon that day.
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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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