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Gillespie Council approves $413,412 property tax levy

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Gillespie City Council members on Monday night unanimously approved a property tax levy of $413,412 for 2023 taxes collectible in 2024. The action followed a brief public hearing, during which City Treasurer Dan Fisher testified that the levy represents an increase of less than five percent more than last year’s levy.

The county’s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law limits increases in the tax levy to no more than five percent, or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The Consumer Price Index, essentially the rate of inflation for the year as determined by the Department of Labor, was about 3.1 percent at the end of November. The Macoupin County Clerk is responsible for adjusting the city’s levy request to bring the levy into compliance with the law. For that reason, most municipalities set their levies at a maximum of five percent of the previous year to capture as much revenue as possible.

Broken down by specific funds the new tax levy ordinance requests $67,804 for Corporate Purposes, compared with $64,637 last year; $29,193 for Police Protection, compared with $27,829 last year; $39,552 for Streets and Bridges, compared with $37,704 a year ago; $11,298 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $19,771 last year; $65,920 for liability insurance, compared with $62,841 last year; $16,950 for Parks, compared with $16,158 a year ago; $3,768 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,592 a year ago; $116,658 for Social Security, compared with $113,116 last year; and $60,269 for the Public Library, compared with $57,454 a year ago.

Revenue from property taxes represents about 10 percent of the city’s annual budget, which typically totals about $4 million.

DESTRATIFIER PURCHASE

On a motion by Ald. Bill Hayes, the council approved the purchase of a $33,000 destratifier that city officials hope will improve water quality. The equipment is expected to help eliminate organic tastes and smells from processed water by destratifying the lake near the water intake for the water treatment plant.

Later in the meeting, Ald. Frank Barrett commented that the city should forego remodeling the space formerly used by the Fire Department to house the Police Department until the city deals with issues at the water intake location.

“We keep putting a band-aid on our intake,” Barrett said, noting that the water department generates revenue for the city.

Ald. Wendy Rolando, however, pointed out the Police Department project is in the discussion stage only. “We don’t have the money for the Police Department,” she said. Later in the meeting, the council approved payment of $460 in Tax Increment Finance Funds to Schuette Design, Staunton, for preparing blueprints for converting part of the municipal building for the Police Department, but Rolando said that expenditure was needed in order for Treasurer Dan Fisher and Ald. Dona Rauzi to pursue grant funds for the remodeling project. She suggested that Barrett ask for the intake issue to be added to the agenda for an upcoming building, and return with cost estimates for an improvement project.

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Fisher told city aldermen that city engineers recently conducted a mandatory inspection of the lake dam and also “took a look at the intake.”

“Their opinion is that the problems we’re having with water are not related to the intake,” Fisher said.

In the meantime, Fisher said, Curry and Associates Engineers are looking at the most cost-effective way to address intake issues. That project, Fisher said, would take place during the summer, in part because the city will have to use professional divers for some aspects of the project.

In a related matter, the council referred to the Lake Committee the issue of determining tap-on fees for lake lot lease-holders who want to access city water from a new main being installed by city workers at the lake.

Fisher said lake lease-holders can use a USDA form to make an application for connection to the new line. The application fee is $50, which will be applied to the tap-on fee, which has not been finalized.

“Once water is available, they will have to pay the balance of the tap-on fee and start paying a monthly water bill,” Fisher said. Leaseholders who do not use their lots during the winter months can opt to have the water turned off for the winter, or continue paying a $25 minimum water bill through the winter. In the event they have water service stopped, water customers will be required to pay a $50 reconnect fee.

Among the decisions the Lake Committee needs to make is determining what the tap-on fee will be for lake lot lease-holders.

“Most rural water districts charge one rate if you sign up before the line gets to you, and a higher rate when the line is one inch past your location,” Fisher said. “It’s a lot less expensive and a lot easier to install taps and meters as the line is being installed.”

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Lake Manager Gary Thornhill said he has been telling potential customers the tap-on fee will be about $350 to $400. Thornhill also discounted concerns about the availability of city water causing residents to overflow their holding tanks. “No one out there has a washer and dryer,” he said. “They won’t be using any more water than they’re using now.”

DITCH ORDINANCE TABLED

The council tabled action on a proposed ordinance governing the use of rip-rap in city ditches, citing a need for additional clarification. Ald. Bob Fritz asked for the ordinance last month to ban the use of rip-rap in city ditches except at the ends of culvert installations.

“The city just put in culverts and they rip-rapped every one of them,” said Ald. Dave Link.

Ald. Landon Pettit proposed amending the ordinance to permit rip-rap at the ends of new culvert installation, which raised the issue how far from the culvert would the city allow rip-rap.

Fisher suggested having the ordinance revised to reflect IDOT guidelines which recommend varying distances based on depth, slope and other factors.

City Attorney Rick Verticchio is expected to return next month with a revised ordinance proposal.

BURNED PROPERTIES

Council briefly discussed cleaning up several burned out properties, including two on Park Avenue, one on Maple Street and one on Rotary Street.

Verdicchio said compelling property owners to clean-up the damaged properties would require court action, but advised giving owners time to work with their insurance companies. He said at least one property owner on Park is waiting for their insurance provider to cover the clean-up costs.

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“If insurance doesn’t move on a property, we could sue the people but it’s not their fault,” he said. “We can sue the insurance companies because we don’t have access.” Suing the individuals, however, could prompt property owners to put more pressure on their insurers to pay for clean-up.

In a related matter, Ald. Link reported that a property at 707 Spring St., which he had frequently cited in the past, has been completely cleaned up.

OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

  • Authorized payment of $20,554 in Tax Increment Finance Funds to United Community Bank to service a $98,000 loan the bank advanced to the city seven years ago when the Downtown TIF District was established. The city has three more annual payments to make at which time the TiF District will expire.
  • Appointed Deputy City Clerk Krystal Norville as liaison between city employees and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now that employees are eligible to participate in IMRF.
  • Accepted a bid of $5,001.99 from Hannah Garrison to purchase property at 408 Broadway Street, on the condition she has the derelict house on the property demolished and removed within six months.
  • Approved a provision to make salaries for non-union city employees congruent with terms of a recently approved contract with the Laborers Union.
  • Approved a resolution to pay consulting fees for the upcoming Streetscape Project from proceeds of a $1 million state grant.

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Miners girls basketball clinch SCC championship

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In a nail-biting showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Gillespie Miners girls basketball team captured the South Central Conference title with a hard-fought 55-52 victory over the Pana Panthers on Thursday night, February 13. This marks Gillespie’s first conference championship since their back-to-back titles in 2001-02, when they shared the honors with Southwestern both finishing with a 9-1 conference record.

The game held at Pana High School was anything but straightforward. After a tumultuous 13-minute delay due to injuries and a technical foul controversy, the Miners rallied their spirits to secure the win. Amari Vickery led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, while Mia Brawner added 11, Maggie Heyen contributed 10, Delaney Taylor posted 5, Sadie Sholtis scored 4, and Lainey Edwards and Corrine Fellin each had 2 points.

From the opening tip, it was clear that Pana was not going to roll over easily. The Panthers held leads at the end of the first two quarters, 15-14 and 28-26, showcasing their tenacity. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Pana had edged ahead 44-42, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

However, the game took a chaotic turn in the fourth quarter when a collision between Vickery and teammate Sloane Brawner resulted in both players going down with injuries. Sloane was not able to return the game but Vickery did. The Miners also lost both Delaney Taylor and Sadie Sholtis to fouls and Gillespie was assessed a technical foul under controversial circumstances which tied the game at 49. But Heyen carried the weight through the fourth quarter recording 6 of her 10 points in the final quarter of play.

Despite the setbacks, the Miners displayed remarkable teamwork resilience under the leadership of Nikki and Matt Brawner. With the SCC championship secured and the regular season concluded with a 22-8 overall record and 9-0 conference record, the Miners now shift their focus to the upcoming regional which is being hosted in Gillespie.

Gillespie hosts Alton Marquette on Monday, Feb. 17 for the regional semi-finals after Alton Marquette knocked East-Alton Wood River, 36-29, to face the Miners. The winner advances to the regional championship that will be played on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Gillespie versus the winner of Staunton/Roxana.

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Macoupin County residential fire claims multiple victims on Saturday

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Tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday morning in Macoupin County as a residential structure fire broke out in the 200 block of West Dean Street, Virden, resulting in the death of a male victim, the Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya announced.

The individual was pronounced deceased at 10:06 AM but the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, as authorities await the results of an autopsy scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2025. The coroner’s office indicated that a press release will be issued following the autopsy and the positive identification of the victim.

WAND reported a second victim died after being transported to Springfield Memorial Hospital according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon who confirmed a 13-year-old boy and a 34-year-old male were the victims.

The fire reportedly started around 9:30 a.m. and the home was fully engulfed when first responders arrived. Two people were reportedly rescued and life flight was requested but were not available due to the foggy weather conditions. 

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, involving multiple agencies including the Macoupin County Coroner’s Office, the Virden Police Department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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Missions group to host trivia fundraiser on March 30

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Come and join us for an exciting afternoon of trivia as we support our local 2:18 Missions! Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 30 from 2 to 5 PM for an event that promises fun, camaraderie, and a chance to make a difference in our community. The event will be held at DeStefane Community Center in Benld, 201 East Central Avenue.

Teams of up to 10 people can participate for just $100 per table. Whether you want to reserve your table in advance or simply show up on the day of the event to pay at the door, we welcome all trivia enthusiasts to join in the competition!

Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the game—just please remember, no alcohol is allowed. For your convenience, we will have bottles of water available for purchase.

The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce! The first-place team will take home a prize of $150. Plus, bring some dollar bills to participate in “Heads and Tails” games during breaks and to buy mulligans for your team.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support a great cause while enjoying a lively trivia challenge. To reserve your table or for more information, contact Kristin at 217-691-7469.

Let’s make this a memorable event for our community and the 2:18 Missions!

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