Meeting in their new quarters for the first time, members of the Benld City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a property tax levy request, approved a first installment payment for work completed at the Benld Family Sports Complex, and appointed a new deputy city clerk.
As of the last two weeks of December, Benld City Hall has been relocated to its new location at 218 East Central Avenue. The new building, the former location of First National Bank and Associated Bank, provides an improved venue for public meetings, a private room for executive sessions, plus office space and a drive-up window for water customers to drop off payments.
On a motion by Ald. Jerry Saracco, the council voted unanimously to approve a property tax levy request of $123,576.03 for 2024 taxes to be collected in 2025. The new levy request is about $3,000 more than the 2024 levy of $120,605.29. The Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), approved by Macoupin voters in 1995 limits annual increases of no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The current CPI, essentially the rate of inflation, currently is 3.4 percent. The levy approved Monday night represents an increase of less than three percent over the previous year’s levy.
Broken down by line item, the new levy seeks property tax revenue of $30,500 for administration, compared with $30,000 last year; $5,900 for the annual municipal audit, compared with $5,800 a year ago; $1,200 for the municipal band, which is unchanged from the previous year; $6,250 for street and bridge maintenance, compared with $6,090 the previous year; $5,350 for parks, compared with $5,250 last year; $44,636 for police protection, compared with $43,169 last year; $5,000 for social security, which is unchanged from the previous year; $1,200 for unemployment insurance, which also is unchanged from a year ago; $2,450 for workers’ compensation insurance, compare with $2,400 a year ago; and $6,500 for liability insurance, compared with $6,386 a year ago.
Additionally, the levy request includes $14,590.03 for the Benld Public Library, compared with $14,110.29 the previous year. Though included in the city’s tax levy request, the library is considered a separate taxing body.
The new levy will be submitted to the Macoupin County Clerk, who is responsible for calculating the appropriate tax rates to generate the levy.
BENLD FAMILY SPORTS COMPLEX PAYOUT
The council voted unanimously to authorize payment of $54,347,94 to J.P. Solutions, Benld, the general contractor for the Benld Family Sports Complex, located on the former site of Benld Elementary School.
The payment covers preliminary earth work at the site, including excavating and grading, sidewalk removal and trenching. City Clerk Terri Koyne reported that workers currently are installing playground equipment.
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Community Unit School District 7 transferred the site to the city after a mine subsidence event destroyed the sever-year-old Benld Elementary School. The city secured a $600,000 Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last year. The city will oversee development of the park, after which management and maintenance will be turned over the Benld Sports Association.
Ald. Saracco noted the city has received half of the grant money and voiced concerns that the city could lose the second half if the facility is not completed by the end of April. Mayor Jim Kelly assured the council that HMG Engineers confirmed the facility will be completed on schedule and if the construction does go past April, the second installment of the grant will not be withdrawn.
Earlier in the meeting, Ald. Saracco reported he attended a meeting at Gillespie City Hall regarding the status of nearly $60,000 in CEJA grant funds due to the City of Benld. Saracco said the money was expected to last November or December but has been delayed. Originally, the city planned to use the money to pay for demolition of the former Tarro Supermarket on East Central Avenue. When emergency circumstances arose, however, the city had to proceed with the demolition before receiving the funds. He recommended using the money, when it arrives, to purchase a new emergency siren or to replace a culvert on East Central Avenue.
The council voted unanimously to appoint Geir Perkins as Deputy City Clerk to assist the City Clerk with office work.
NEW DEPUTY CLERK
On a motion by Ald. John Balzraine, seconded by Ald. Lance Cooper, the council voted unanimously to appoint Geir Perkins as Deputy City Clerk to assist the City Clerk with office work. In a separate action, the council approved expenditure of about $125 to have Perkins certified as a Notary Public and to buy a notary stamp for her use.
CITY PROPERTIES AND ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
No action followed a 20-minute executive session requested by City Attorney Rick Verticchio to discuss a small claims lawsuit filed against the city by Monte Oberman in connection with property at 215 East Central Avenue that Oberman agreed to sell to the city in lieu of abating a public nuisance.
In related property matters, the council directed Verticchio to send notice of an ordinance violation to the owners of the former Benld Senior Nutrition Center, 205 East Central Avenue, for bricks falling from the front wall onto the sidewalk.
Verticchio also was directed to pursue action against the owners of 407 and 409 South Fourth Street for allegedly allowing persons to live in the residences without passing a building inspection. Ald. Balzraine said someone is living in a mobile home at 407 South Fourth and in a home located at 409 South Fourth.
Verticchio said he is working in court to get authorization to enter the mobile home for purposes of an inspection. A hearing is scheduled this Friday to obtain an administrative search warrant that will allow the city’s housing inspector to enter the residence.
CULVERT PURCHASE
On a motion by Ald. Dustin Fletcher, the council approved replenishing the city’s stockpile of culvert materials at a cost of $9,506.17.
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SNOW REMOVAL COMPLAINT
Ferdinand Girardi appeared before the council to voice concerns about snow removal practices following the most recent snowstorm. Girardi said city workers threw up a three-foot embankment in front of his driveway when city streets were plowed and refused to plow access to his driveway. Ald. Balzraine disputed that there was a three-foot embankment in front of Girard’s home and confirmed that city crews are not responsible for plowing private driveways.
“What do you expect me to do?” Girardi wanted to know.
“I want you to take care of your driveway like everyone else,” Balzraine replied.
“You expect a 97-year-old man to get out and shovel out a driveway?”
“No,” Balraine responded, “I expect you to hire someone like everyone else does.”
Mayor Kelly reiterated that cars must be moved off streets during a snow emergency.
“If there’s a car in the road,” Kelly said, “the police will call you to move it. If you don’t move the car, it will be towed. Cars have to be off the road and plows have to be able to get through when there’s a snow emergency.”
Wins $2,000 Prize and Video She Created will Air on 160 TV Stations Nationwide
CHICAGO – Emily Bergen, 16, a student at Gillespie High School in Gillespie, has won the annualDrive Safe Chicago public service announcement contest. Antonio Knott, 15, of Merrillville High School in Merrillville IN, placed second in the voting, and Noelani Elizalde, 17, also from Merrillville High School, was third.
Sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Auto Show, teens from Illinois and surrounding states were invited to submit ideas for a 30-second PSA about sharing the road with other passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Three finalists were selected and each worked with an Emmy Award-winning producer to transform their PSA submissions into 30-second TV public service announcements. The public was then able to vote for their favorite online. More than 1,400 online votes were cast.
The winner received $2,000 and will be featured on nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. The first runner-up got $1,000 and the second runner-up won $500. All three finalists’ teachers received $100 gift cards.
“The carnage on our roads can be reduced if drivers remain aware of others who share the road,” said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes safe driving. “We think the creative ideas about sharing the road from our Drive Safe Chicago winner and runners-up convey that message effectively.”
“Although today’s new cars are safer than ever, with technological advances that are proven to help avoid crashes,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts, “drivers must still be aware of others they are sharing the road with, whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrians.”
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The National Road Safety Foundation says driver error accounts for 94 percent of all fatal crashes, with speeding and driver distraction among the leading factors. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40,990 people died on U.S. roads and highways in 2023, with hundreds of thousands of injuries and an estimated annual cost of more than $340 billion.
View Bergen’s winning video below:
Bergen’s video is also featured center on the National Road Safety Foundation’s website with the runners-up videos to the right and to the left: https://m.shortstack.page/NLxMqT
Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher out of a possible 4.0 are named to the President’s List. Those students earning a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.74 are recognized each semester on the Dean’s List.
Further requirements are listed in the college’s online catalog at http://catalog.lc.edu. All questions should be directed to the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222. Below is an excerpt containing students residing in Macoupin County.
President’s List
BENLD – Ryleigh L. Phillips; Zander E. Rieffer; Emily R. Schoen; Tristen B. Wargo;
BRIGHTON – Brandon M. Adams; Ike D. Austin; Lainie L. Behrends; Reagan Beilsmith; Ian C. Brantley; Tina M. Brass; Lane Cox; Madison P. Fenstermaker; Hunter D. Gillis; Hailey Gula; Alexis R. Harrop; Gavin Humm; Thomas D. Kunz; Nicholas O. McGee; Audrey A. Perkins; Ava J. Pulley; Alyssa J. Schuchman; Addison Strohbeck; Sydney A. Valdes; Abby Van Doren; Piper L. Voorhees; Madelyn E. Zarges;
BUNKER HILL – Alex Betts; Grant J. Burch; Kayleigh K. Butler; Abigayle L. Collins; Denise Deias; Braden T. Fulton; Dillon M. Guess; Maya R. Henfling; Hannah J. Herrmann; Madalynn Hilyard; Madelyn Landreth; William Manar; Kaylee L. Richert; Andrew Sanner; Abby N. Spraggs; Noah A. Thyer;
CARLINVILLE – Jack E. Beard; Matthew J. Eldred; Jack Goby; Stephanie K. Harding; Gabriel R. Henson; Alexsis A. Kalaher; Weston E. Kuykendall; Lillian McCurley; Emerald Ondrey; Joanna M. Roemer; Jessica N. Strubbe; Karleina J. Tipps; Samuel L. Wilson;
GILLESPIE – Lauren E. Bertagnolli; Ean L. Davis; Lanie G. Doty; Kennedy G. Helmkamp;
MEDORA – Aubrey M. Reno; Anneliese M. Shatley; Haleigh Sinclair;
SHIPMAN – Alyssa L. Beck; Gracie B. Darr; Addison A. Jeffers; Tyson Kahl; Josiah A. Schuette; Bailee A. Sorgea;
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SOUTH ROXANA – Lyndsey M. Johansen; Caden O. Lara; Savanah M. Stogsdill;
STAUNTON – Julie A. Aloisi; Samantha R. Anderson; Zane P. Anderson; Shane Baker; Lilly M. Bandy; Grace Bekeske; Gianna Bianco; Carson G. Buffington; Kiersten L. Carlson; Karla J. Castillo; Izabella Claussen; Lillian Dothager; Olivia M. Favre; Eli J. Henke; Alexis A. Hester; Samantha D. Hoffman; Harold I. Irvin, III; Dylan Jarden; Korryn O. Keehner; Nicholas L. Raphael; Alexis P. Schaaf; Brady Seelbach; Carli L. Skinner; Cole Sternickle; Tyler J. Thompson; Lilly Trettenero; Lillyan S. Troeckler;
Dean’s List
BENLD – Ridge A. Braundmeier; Kaitlynn E. Conner; Elizabeth M. King; Alyssa S. McCollum; Marria D. Middleton; Alyssa F. Schuette;
BRIGHTON – Garrett R. Beuttel; Troy J. Brooks; Emily Y. Cambron; Jacob G. Carpenter; Lucy Childress; Olivia Cody; Logan T. Crane; Tristyn N. Ditterline; Kaylin G. Gerard; Cooper J. Hagen; Ashlyn K. Hall; Evan Hanold; Samuel J. Harshbarger; Amelia R. Hines-Pattan; Ella J. Kadell; Daylin M. King; Kayla A. Lemarr; Tucker Mayhew; Elizabeth L. Milford; Stacey M. Mynatt; Blythe E. Roloff; Jordan R. Short; Shiann Vinson; Grace A. Wylde;
BUNKER HILL – Cole T. Burch; Hanna N. Heeren; Madelynne K. Heflin; Taylor Miklavic; Katelyn J. Miller; Abigail G. Scott;
CARLINVILLE – Boedy E. Baker; Emily A. Barbre; Zachary Chapman; Ella R. Clevenger; Alana N. Dixon; Alison J. Dixon; Nathan Dyer; Addison Eldred; Saralynn I. Joiner; Henry S. Kalaher; William G. Meyer; Chloe A. Payne; Amy L. Pocklington; Jack Rives; Lanna P. Vanderpoel; Ella C. Wise; Braley M. Wiser;
GILLESPIE – Reese E. Bussmann; Regan E. Bussmann; Addie M. Hayes; Karter Mix; Adrianne B. Niemeyer; Grace J. Vandoren; Shannon L. Wright;
MOUNT OLIVE – Libbie M. Nowell;
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PIASA – Anna C. Fink;
SHIPMAN – Kaden G. Cottingham; Rocky Darr; Kathryn M. Mueller; Sayuri Owada; Rocky J. Rose;
STAUNTON – Rylee K. Baugh; David S. Dann; Belle M. Darte; Jacob A. Dillon; Vivienne Dothager; Sean T. Fleming; Kennedy L. Legendre; Zander MacHota; Savannah M. Missey; Nicholas Monahan; Nicole M. Narup; Kelley Perrine; Christopher S. Pritchett; Alivia Royer; Katie N. Schalk; Lakesi Settles; Priya E. Siegfried; Justin A. Smith; Kylie A. Tomso; Whitney Weller;
Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, February 17 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/23/24 are eligible to give at this drive.