Community News
Gillespie approves $17 million appropriation for current fiscal year
Sgt. Laurie Gerdes presenting Devon Schoen to the council as Chief Jared DePoppe’s recommendation for a full-time police officer position.
Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve a $16.9 million appropriation ordinance setting spending limits for the current fiscal year, hired a full-time police officer and voted to impose a $2.50 per month surcharge for sewer system users in East Gillespie and Eagarville.
The regular monthly meeting of the council was continued, in lieu of adjourning, to 6 p.m., Monday, June 24, at which time the council will consider payment of the first pay estimate submitted by Haier Plumbing and Heating, Oquawka, for work completed to date on the city’s $10 million water infrastructure project. City Treasurer Dan Fisher recommended delaying the action after consulting with project engineers at Curry and Associates Engineers. While the bill itself is proper, Fisher said, Haier used an outdated USDA Rural Development form to submit the request for payment. Until the pay request is submitted with a current form, Fisher said USDA would not accept the request.
He recommended continuing the meeting until June 24 in order for the council to legally approve the payment.
“I’ll warn you,” Fisher said, “it (the pay request) is more than a million bucks.”
In a related matter, the council approved the purchase of a street sweeper attachment for the city’s Bobcat upon the recommendation of Ald. Jerry Dolliger. Dolliger said he had received complaints from city residents about dirt and mud left on city streets as a result of the ongoing work associated with installing new water lines. At least two people had told him the vehicles they were driving slid through a stop intersection because of mud on the street. He said the city could either buy a sweeper or rent one for the three-year duration of the water project.
On a motion by Dolliger, the council agreed to buy a sweeper, but there was confusion about which of two options was authorized. Pricing for a self-contained unit that actually picks up and removes debris was quoted at $8,300. A less expensive unit priced at $5,300 has a side discharge to move debris to the street shoulder without actually removing it. Dolliger’s motion called for the purchase of the self-contained unit but identified the price of the unit at $5,307.50.
The council balked at a proposal to purchase a mini-trackhoe to clean ditches during the water project construction process. Dolliger said the contract with Haier does not include cleaning off streets or replacing gravel displaced by the project. Under terms of the contract, both of those responsibilities fall on the city. Fisher said the contract was written that way as a cost-saving measure. “The cost of having their crews do that is about three times what it will cost to use our guys,” Fisher said.
“We don’t have enough money to buy everything that everyone wants,” Fisher told Dolliger and the council. “I think your committee needs to come up with a budget and a timeline for when you need particular things.” At this juncture, Dolliger said the sweeper was a higher priority than the trackhoe.
“So your recommendation would be to go ahead and buy the sweeper and hold off on the other?” Mayor John Hicks asked, and Dolliger agreed.
SEWER SURCHARGE, WATER LINE PROGRAM
Also related to water and sewer issues, the council approved a pair of resolutions authorizing the collection of a $2.50 per month surcharge from individual users of the city sewer system in East Gillespie and Eagarville. City Attorney Kevin Polo said the city’s contract with satellite water users includes provisions for the city to raise rates by the same amount the city raises rates for Gillespie residents. The council recently voted to impose the $2.50 surcharge on city residences connected to the sewer system.
Council members also amended the city’s Water Ordinance to include provisions to assist property owners in replacing water lines between the meter and their homes or business places. At the end of the water infrastructure project, USDA reportedly will require the city to certify that it will have a “lead-free” system. As the contractor replaces water lines and connects the new line to city homes, it’s assumed that some of those homes will have lead pipes from the meter to the home. The cost of replacing those lines will fall upon the property owner.
To help property owners pay for new lines, the newly approved amendment will allow them to pay for the replacement lines over a period of time by paying an extra $25 per month on their water bills until the cost of the new line is retired.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE
On a motion by Ald. Dave Tucker, seconded by Ald. Wendy Rolando, the council voted unanimously to approve a $16.9 million appropriation ordinance prepared by City Treasurer Fisher. The action followed a 15-minute public hearing prior to convening the regular meeting during which Fisher offered a brief summary of the ordinance.
Fisher said the new appropriation ordinance totals $16,901,650. Roughly $12 million of that figure represents anticipated expenditures for the ongoing water infrastructure project, which is subsidized by a USDA Rural Development grant and loan. The “normal” appropriation covering regular operations of the city total $4.9 million.
“It’s up a little over a million bucks from last time,” Fisher said.
Fisher said neither city officials nor constituents should confuse the appropriation ordinance with an actual budget. While required by law, the appropriation does not anticipate what the city will spend in specific categories. It does, however, set spending ceilings for spending that cannot be exceeded during the fiscal year, which started May 1. “It can be amended by resolution,” Fisher said, “but I don’t anticipate that happening.”
The appropriation passed Monday night includes money needed to honor newly negotiated contracts with two of the three unions representing city employees.
Fisher described the appropriation as the first step in a three-step process needed for the city to legally spend tax dollars. While the appropriation authorizes total expenditures for specific categories of expenditures, each individual expenditures will require council approval. Aldermen have a third opportunity to vote on the expenditure when monthly bills are presented for payment.
“This is not a budget,” he reiterated. “It’s the upper limit of what we think we will spend in individual categories.”
With $10 million stripped out for the water infrastructure project, projected expenditures for the Water Department still make up a lion’s share of the appropriation—$2,220,500, compared with $1,857,750 last year. For General Administrative expenditures, $1,280,900 is appropriated, which includes $1 million in state funds that was included in the Capital Project Bill approved earlier this month by the state legislatures. Last year’s General Administration appropriation was $271,500.
The ordinance appropriates $822,500 for the Police Department, compared with $800,500 last year. For the Street Department, $826,000 is appropriated, compared with $788,000 a year ago. A total of $533,660 is appropriated for the Sewer Department, compared with $509,660 last year. The appropriation for City Lakes and Parks is $442,200, compared with $420,500 last year.
For the Administrative Building—which includes maintenance and repairs, some personnel costs and utilities—$64,800 is appropriated, compared with $59,300 last year. A total of $39,820 is appropriated for salaries of elective and appointed city officials, which is identical to last year’s appropriation. The appropriations for the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and the Public Library are unchanged from last year at $21,000 and $38,270, respectively. Likewise, the appropriations for Parks and Recreational Areas and the Municipal Band are the same as a year ago at $47,000 and $3,000.
The appropriation for participating in FICA is increased from $90,000 a year ago to $97,000 this year. The appropriation for Liability Insurance is the same as last year at $50,000.
The ordinance appropriates $200,000 in motor fuel tax funds for street maintenance and repairs. In addition, $215,000 is appropriated for TIF Fund expenditures.
Typically, according to Fisher, the annual appropriation far exceeds actual expenditures on the part of the city. Last year, he said, the city appropriated about $5 million (excluding the infrastructure project) while knowing the city would actually spend only about 60 percent of that amount.
CAPITAL BILL WINDFALL
Fisher reported to the council that Gillespie expects to receive a grant of $1 million in state money to be used for infrastructure improvements. The grant is included in the $45 billion Capital Bill approved earlier this month by the state legislature, which is expected to be signed by the Governor.
“Hopefully we will get additional funding from the State of Illinois as a result of the Capital Bill, which will help us out quite a bit,” Fisher noted. The funds can be used for a variety of purposes, according to Fisher, including bridge repair and equipment repairs. “Some of it may be used to move forward with our Streetscape program,” he said, adding those expenditures probably would be limited to planning and design, rather than actual construction on the project.
REAL ESTATE SALE
Following an executive session lasting 45 minutes to discuss real estate, personnel and collective bargaining, the council voted to approve an ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property at 214 South Macoupin Street at a price equal to 80 percent of the appraised value. The property is appraised at $5,000, meaning the city will accept $4,000 to sell the parcel.
The action will facilitate the sale of the parcel to Dave Link, owner of Lumpy’s Tavern, who has expressed a long-standing interest in acquiring the property. The city originally had agreed to sell the property to Adam Tallman as a location for a new building to house Tallman’s insurance agency business. Tallman, however, ultimately opted to relocate his office in the former Drew Ford building, essentially putting the parcel back on the market. Link’s business is located adjacent to the parcel and Link presumably will use the property for further expansion of his business.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council:
- Hired part-time police officer Devin Schoen as a full-time officer. Sgt. Laurie Gerdes, who attended the meeting on behalf of Chief Jared DePoppe, said Schoen had been employed as a part-time officer for more than a year, and completed his training and certification while employed by the city.
- Approved lake lot transfers as follows: Michael and Cara Hayes, Lot 365; Ryan and Melissa Bussman, Lot 366; Jeremy and Shannon Sarti, Lot 367; Brad and Keri Rae, 63 Bishop Drive; and Eric and Karla Thyer, Lot 353.
- Agreed to contract with Reid Heating and Cooling, Gillespie, to clean and recharge an air conditioning unit at the Civic Center with an eye toward not having to actually replace the equipment; and agreed to contract with Bolash Roofing and Contracting, Divernon, to caulk an area of the Civic Center roof that is leaking, again with an eye toward avoiding a re-roofing project expected to cost $43,000.
- Unanimously voted to start charging a deposit and rental fee for picnicking pavilions at the Old Lake, New Lake and Big Brick Park. Persons reserving the pavilions will be expected to pay a fee of $50, $25 of which will be refunded if the parties adequately clean the facilities after use.
- Tabled action on an ordinance to authorize the city to provide police protection for the Village of Eagarville, pending further discussions with the Village President. The ordinance tentatively set the Village’s cost at $500 per month.
- Agreed to allow the Water Department to hire a part-time meter reader and a part-time Class C Water Plant Operator, provided the hirings do not conflict with existing union contracts.
Comments
Community News
Benld prepares to celebrate 72nd annual Italian American Days over Memorial Day weekend
A beloved community tradition returns this Memorial Day weekend as the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days brings three days of food, music, and family fun to Benld City Park from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.
Hosted by the Italian Club of Benld, the long-running festival celebrates the area’s rich Italian heritage while welcoming visitors from across the region for a full slate of activities.
Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of homemade Italian favorites served throughout the weekend, including salami and meatball sandwiches, tortellini soup, bagna cauda, and cannoli. A daily fish fry featuring cod and whiting will also be available, along with classic festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, and carnival treats. Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.
In addition to the food, the event will feature carnival rides provided by Conner Family Amusement, Inc., with unlimited ride sessions offered throughout the weekend. Bingo will be held nightly at 7:00 p.m., and festival-themed shirts will be available for purchase.
Live music and dancing will take center stage each evening. Friday night entertainment includes a performance by Flip the Frog from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., with the park open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday highlights include the Italian Club Car Show, with registration from 8:00 a.m. to noon and judging beginning at noon. The park opens at 11:00 a.m., and live music will feature Pat Jones in the afternoon followed by Borderline in the evening.
Sunday kicks off with the “Meatballs on the Run” 5K at 9:00 a.m., sponsored by the Gillespie Cross Country Boosters. You can sign-up to participate online here. The day continues with free spaghetti served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bocce ball tournament beginning at noon, and a full lineup of live music throughout the day, including performances by Unbroken, Syner-Gee, and B&B Strings.
Connors Family Amusements will provide carnival armbands for $30. Armbands will be valid Friday (May 22) from 6:00 to 10 :00 p.m. and again on Saturday (May 23rd) and Sunday (May 24th) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m, Advanced armband sales will be available from May 4th through May 21st at the Frank Bertetti Public Library and Benld City Hall for $25. Debit and Credit Cards will NOT be accepted.
Organizers note that no outside beverages are permitted in the park or at club events.
With its mix of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days promises to once again be a highlight of the summer season in Macoupin County. For more information and updates, follow the festival on Facebook at Benld Italian American Days.
Comments
Gillespie 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, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
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) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
Comments
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a package of four capital improvement projects totaling more than $160,000 in value. Work will start on the projects after the end of the current school year and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 academic year in August.
The board met on Wednesday night after Monday’s inclement weather forced the district to reschedule the board’s regular monthly meeting.
The board approved entering into a contract with Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track at a cost of $105,209. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board the district will use about $50,000 from an all-weather track activity fund, with the remainder to be paid with proceeds from an alternate revenue bond issue approved last year for capital improvements.
Great Western Abatement, Jerseyville, was retained to remove flooring containing asbestos from the choir room floor and middle school gymnasium school at a cost of $40,700. Great Western’s bid was the lowest of seven bids, ranging up to $65,000, submitted for the work. Additionally, the district is paying $8,900 to Reliable Environmental Services, Springfield, for engineering and design work associated with the asbestos removal.
All-purpose rubberized flooring material will be installed on the middle school gym floor by Dynamic Sports Construction, Leander, Texas, at a cost of $51,424.
For the first time in a number of years, the high school gymnasium floor will be sanded and refinished with new artwork. Blast Technologies, St. Louis, was hired to sand the 4,200-square-foot floor at a cost of $5,250. Designs Unlimited, Pinckneyville, will paint game lines and logos on the floor before sealing it with a clear stain at a cost not to exceed $18,738.
The board also accepted a bid of $33,890 from DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to resurface the 118,700-square-foot parking lot at Benld Elementary School.
Though no action was taken, Board President Mark Hayes reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had directed Owsley to investigate the cost of replacing the CUSD 7 administrative building.
“This building is very much in need of replacement,” Hayes said. “It’s beyond its time.” During Monday’s torrential rainfall, Hayes said water came in through windows and water seeped in under the sill plate, bringing displaced nightcrawlers into the building. Staff members ran fans after the storm in an effort to dry out the interior.
According to Hayes, the school has been in contact with the local Baptist Church to investigate the possibility of acquiring the former Trinity Baptist Church for use as an administrative building. Church officials, however, have not yet made a decision about the fate of the former sanctuary after Gillespie’s two Baptist churches merged.
Owsley said the current administrative building comprises about 6,000 square feet. Current estimates are $400 per square foot for new construction which would translate into about $2.5 million to replace the administrative facility. The district might be able to shave some dollars off that estimate by reducing the size of the building.
“There’s a lot of unusable space in this building,” Owsley said, suggesting a more efficient floorpan could reduce cost. He also mentioned the possibility of a basement to provide storage space for outdated documents.
In addition to construction costs, Owsley noted, the district would be responsible for tearing down the existing building.
“I have no idea what’s in this building,” Owsley said, raising abatement concerns. “I’m guessing disposal of this building is going to be expensive.”
Hayes said Kevin Wills, the district’s bond issue advisor, will attend the June board meeting to discuss the possibility of refinancing some existing bonds to free up enough revenue to build a new administrative building. The administration currently is housed in a “temporary” structure that has served as the administration building for several decades.
MINE SUBSIDENCE STUDY
After several minutes of discussion, the board took no action in relation to entering into a contract with Marino Engineering and Associates to assess the district’s risk for incurring damage from a mine subsidence event. Owsley said existing maps show that portions of Gillespie Middle School are undermined. While the high school is not undermined, a major subsidence would likely damage the high school as well as the middle school. In recent months, more than one residential home on Elm Street near the school property has experienced damage from mine subsidence.
Marino’s $94,000 Phase I proposal would “determine the likelihood of something happening to one of our buildings,” Owsley said. The problem is that too much information could negatively impact the district’s ability to purchase subsidence insurance. “Information is great until it’s not.”
The district currently pays about $300,000 for mine subsidence insurance on the middle school, high school and vocational arts building. The school carries no subsidence insurance on BenGil Elementary because mine shafts under the building were grouted before the school was built.
“If we find out there’s not a major concern,” Owsley noted, it could reduce the district’s subsidence insurance costs.
On the other hand, if the study reveals a high risk of experiencing mine subsidence, the insurer could drop the district at the end of the current policy’s term. With only two companies in the country offering subsidence insurance, the district could end up with no insurance at all to cover damage from mine subsidence.
The only way to avoid that scenario would be to implement whatever options Marino might recommend to reduce risk. Those recommendations would likely include grouting (backfilling) mine shafts under the middle school. Grouting for the elementary school cost $4 million. To grout under the middle school would likely run as much as $6 million or more.
The only way the study would make sense, Owsley suggested, would be if the district was “comfortable making the corrections the study is going to make.”
Moreover, $94,000 would cover only a preliminary assessment.
“To get a full understanding of what’s going on underground, we’d be looking at a half million dollars,” said Owsley.
The issue was allowed to die when no board member moved to consider the contract.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PARTICIPATION
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Summit Ridge Solar to participate in a community solar project. Under terms of the 15-year contract, the district will realize a 13 percent savings on electrical power bills. The contract is automatically renewable for five years unless the district chooses to withdraw.
“Illinois provides a number of incentives for using solar,” Owsley said. “However, not everyone likes the look of having solar panels on their property. This will get us the benefits without putting up solar panels on our property.”
Summit Ridge’s proposal was the most lucrative of the proposals the district received. Other companies offered shorter terms with savings of five percent.
After 20 years, it’s likely the savings would drop to five percent. Owsley said he was told the district was better off going with the longer contract to get 13 percent in savings for as long as possible.
The school district was able to secure such favorable rates, according to Owsley is because there is an issue with solar fields storing the power they generate. “Our main usage time is during their maximum production time.”
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized sophomore Matrix Wright, whose art was the only entry from the United States included in the 2026 TOLI International Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a project of The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies in New York. The exhibit includes student art relating to themes associated with the Holocaust.
Wright’s work, entitled “An Immortal Continuum,” attempts to portray “the constant entrapment a Holocaust survivor might feel.”
Exhibition organizers received more than 250 entries from around the globe.
BUDGET PROCESS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Board President Hayes, board members voted unanimously to begin work on developing a district budget for fiscal 2027. Board members also approved a routine measure to permit expenditure of fiscal 2027 funds after July 1, pending approval of a new budget.
The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 but new budgets typically are approved two to four months after the start of the fiscal year.
The current fiscal year’s $19 million budget was approved in September last year.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to approve the request of long-time middle school English and language arts teacher Kim Henderson, effective at the end of the 2028-29 school year.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Andrew Crook as a first-year, non-tenured high school English teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check. A graduate of Gillespie High School, Crook earned his teaching certificate at Illinois College, Jacksonville and for the past two years, he taught English at North Mac High School.
In separate actions, the board made multiple assignments to staff the district’s summer school program. Those hired include: Jessica Kelly as a middle school teacher, Ashlee Gibbs as a high school math teacher, and Jennifer Brown and Rob Macias as high school drivers’ education instructors. Each of the positions are contingent upon adequate student enrollment to offer the classes. In addition to academic staff, the board hired Andy Hirstein as a summer school food service worker.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Foli Seferi as high school paraprofessional and as assisted football coach. Both resignations are effective immediately.
In other personnel action, the board appointed Cate Plovich as the BenGil Elementary School yearbook sponsor, and appointed Josh Ross as a volunteer assistant football coach, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
• Approved a mens highs school soccer coop with the Carlinville School District, with the provision Carlinville will dissolve the agreement if it pushes its program into a higher competitive classification.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lewis and Clark Community College under which the college will recognize some high school courses as college level credits.
• Approved early graduation requests for an undisclosed number of students, provided all graduation requirements are met.
• Approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association.
• Approved the final calendar for the 2025-26 school year pending no further emergency days. Barring the use of emergency days, Monday, May 18 will be the last day of student attendance, with graduation ceremonies set at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17.
Comments
-
Community News4 days agoIllinois treasurer to help Macoupin County residents reclaim $8.6 million in unclaimed funds on May 13 at Gillespie Library
-
Obituaries4 days agoObituary of Roberta “Bobbi” Haneghan
-
Community News4 days agoCarlinville’s Dixon signs as UDFA with Patriots
-
Community News3 days agoSchool board approves $160,000 in capital improvement project