Community News
Gillespie council poised to impose 1% public safety sales tax
The Gillespie City Council appears poised to enact a one percent sales tax to generate revenue for public safety purposes without the formality of a voter referendum. Action to approve a resolution to impose the tax is likely to come during next month’s regular meeting of the council on Monday, Jan. 13.
Earlier in December the council briefly discussed putting a public question on the April Consolidated Election ballot to seek voter approval for the tax. During an unusual reconvened meeting on Monday, Dec. 23, the council was advised by Treasurer Dan Fisher that the city could implement the tax with a council-approved resolution.
Fisher said City Attorney Rick Verticchio, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, had researched the issue and learned the state legislature created an option for non-home rule municipalities to approve a one percent sales tax to replace a one percent grocery tax formerly collected by the state. Legislation to repeal the grocery tax was approved in August and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The city’s one percent public safety tax, if approved, would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Fisher initially recommended putting the sale tax issue on the April ballot, but changed his recommendation Monday night based on Verticchio’s advice.
“I would encourage the council to go this route,” he said. “In collective bargaining (with the police union), we agreed to look into this and, in return, they agreed to scale back their demands.”
The revenue is needed, according to Fisher, because of additional expenses resulting from city employees, including police officers and dispatchers, joining the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, and hiring additional officers to service the City of Benld and other satellites that contract with Gillespie for police protection services.
As a result of the discussion, the council agreed to put the issue on the agenda for the council’s next regular meeting.
In other action, the Council approved the city’s annual property tax levy request and approved a series of resolutions to authorize expenditures of Tax Increment Financing funds, American Recovery Program Act (ARPA) funds. The council took the unusual step of recessing instead of adjourning its regular meeting on Dec. 9 in order to commit ARPA funds before the end of the calendar year.
TAX LEVY
Approval of the tax levy came after a brief public hearing during which there were no questions or comments from the public or from council members. The levy was approved unanimously on a motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, seconded by Ald. Dave Link.
The levy request is for $434,028 for 2024 property taxes to be collected in 2025. The amount the city actually receives, however, is likely to be less because of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law approved by Macoupin County voters in 1995. PTELL limits the increase in the amount of property taxes the city receives to no more than five percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. The current CPI is 3.4 percent, limiting the increase in property tax revenue to no more than 3.4 percent.
The new levy compares with $413,412 levied last year.
Broken down by line item, the new levy requests $71,186 for corporate purposes, compared with $67,804 last year; $30,648 for Police Protection, compared with $29,193 a year ago; $41,524 for Streets and Bridges, compared with $39,552 a year ago; $11,860 for Emergency Services and Disaster Administration, compared with $11,298 last year; $69,208 for Liability Insurance, compared with $65,920 last year; $17,794 for Parks, compared with $16,950 last year; $3,955 for the Municipal Band, compared with $3,768 last year; $124,578 for Social Security, compared with $116,658 last year; and $63,275 for the Public Library, compared with $57,454 last year.
Revenue from property taxes represents about 10 percent of the city’s annual budget which typically totals about $4 million.
CITY PROJECTS
Council members approved several resolutions related to upcoming city projects to be funded with ARPA funds and TIF funds. The ARPA expenditures had to be committed by the end of the year in order to keep from having to forfeit the grant.
City alderman unanimously approved a resolution committing $263,772.95 in ARPA funds for city projects, including the following:
- $60,999 for purchase and installation of playground equipment at Big Brick Park.
- $90,000 to purchase two new police cars.
- $112,773.95 to reimburse the General Fund for public safety equipment previously purchased by the city.
The council unanimously approved a resolution committing TIF funds for capital improvements as follows:
- $183,597.77 to Watson Contracting, Gillespie, for remodeling a newly acquired building at 124 North Macoupin Street for use as a Police Department headquaters.
- $73,511 to Watson Contracting for remodeling work at the Civic Center.
- $19,950 to Glass Cutters, Carlinville, for new windows and replacement doors at the Civic Center.
- $3,000 to Bauer Electric for electrical work at the Civic Center.
Additionally, the council approved a resolution to reimburse the city $15,000 from funds generated from the city’s first TIF district for design expenses associated with the city’s downtown Streetscepe Project.
Council members also approved reimbursing the city $5,000 from the city’s first TIF district for payments to Moran Economic Development, Inc. for work associated with creating and administering the city’s TIF districts.
Finally, the council approved a resolution to use TIF funds to reimburse United Community Bank $22,182 for property taxes paid in 2023 and $25,000 for 2024 property taxes to be collected in 20025.
NEW FIRM FOR MFT ADMINISTRATION
On a motion by Ald. Link, seconded by Ald. Pettit, the council voted unanimously to retain Henneghan and Associates, Jerseyville, for engineering work and administration associated with the city’s annual Motor Fuel Tax street maintenance program.
Henneghan contracted to complete all engineering and administrative services for a flat fee of $10,000.
“What’s the issue with who we have now?” Ald. Dona Rauzi wanted to know.
“These guys are cheaper,” Ald. Link replied.
Mayor John Hicks asked Maintenance Director Dale Demkey for his input.
“I’d like to go with them (Henneghan),” Demkey replied.
“And your reason is?” Hicks asked.
“They’re better. That’s why,” Demkey responded. “They take care of everything.”
Curry and Associates previously handled the MFT street maintenance program for the city.
CHRISTMAS DECOR
The council authorized Rauzi to spend up to $300 to spend for new Christmas decorations for the Civic Center. Rauzi, who organizes the annual Senior Christmas Dinner and is responsible decorating the Civic Center for the event, said she plans to takes advantage of after-Christmas clearance sales to replace some of the city’s failing decorations.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Council members agreed to declare as surplus and offer for sale a 10-by-10-foot white garage door with opener; a 10-by-8-foot white garage door with opener; (29) 50-pound bags of turf fertilizer; seed starter and mulch with tackifier.
No action followed a five-minute executive session requested by Ald. Pettit to discuss personnel.
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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.
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.
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.
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.”
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Macoupin County Board members voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize a $1 million project to resurface about 2.7 miles of Staunton-Bunker Hill Road.
County Engineer Tom Reinhart told the board that the section of Staunton-Bunker Hill Road was selected to expend remaining Rebuild Illinois funds because it could be improved with an overlay without extensive patching or rebuilding. The board resolution approved Tuesday night appropriates $997,904.40, representing the balance of RBI funds allotted to the county, to mill and resurface more than 13,200 feet of Staunton-Bunker Hill Road, proceeding west from the county highway’s intersection with Illinois Route 4 near Staunton. Additionally, the board voted unanimously to approve a resolution entering into a $29,542 contract with Veenstra & Krimm, Inc., Springfield, to provide engineering, consulting and oversight services for the project.
A bid letting for the resurfacing is expected this spring.
In other action, the board agreed to sell 2.5 acres of surplus property and approved a controversial division of one lot in the Gander Subdivision between Brighton and Bunker Hill.
PROPERTY SALE
After an extensive discussion, the board voted unanimously to declare 2.55 acres of county-owned land lying to the east of Poggenpohl Redi-Mix and Construction, north of Carlinville, as surplus property and offer it for sale via sealed bids. Bids are due by Feb. 28.
Board member Todd Armour said at least one potential buyer has expressed interest in acquiring the property but “some members of the committee thought there might be other buyers.”
The board, however, tabled action on another six acres of property located west of the Poggenpohl facility.
“There’s another six acres out there,” Armour said. “The committee wondered if we should get an appraisal on all of it, advertise it for sale and get the county out of the property business.”
The additional six acres is contingent to the Macoupin County Fairgrounds, Armour said. A potential buyer expressed interest in buying it and allowing the Fair Board to use the property for overflow parking during the fair and other events.
Armour reported the committee retained Aumann Auctions to appraise the initial properties. The 2.55 acres now offered for sale was appraised at $60,000, with the initial 5.99 acres appraised at $110,000. A new appraisal would include the initial 5.99 acres, plus an additional six acres. State law requires the county to sell the property for a sum no less than 80 percent of the appraisal.
Board member Holly Klausing commented that selling the first 5.99 acres without including the second six-acre parcel could be problematic. “I’m afraid that if we sell these two parcels,” she said, “no one will be interested in the other six acres because it will be landlocked.”
Armour also noted that a farmer who is renting the land from the county has already added soil amendments for the upcoming growing season. “If we sell it out from under him, we’ll have to reimburse him for that,” Armour said.
Ultimately, the board agreed to offer the initial 2.55 acres east of Poggenpohl for sale while tabling a decision on the remaining property pending an appraisal and additional information.
GANDER POINTE SUBDIVISION
With three dissenting votes, the board approved a plan to subdivide Lot 1 of the Gander Pointe Subdivision near Brighton into three separate lots ranging from one acre to 1.5 acres in size.The issue has been under discussion by the board since December, with some board members questioning whether or not the subdivision owners were attempting to circumvent county ordinances defining the difference between major and minor subdivision developments. Gander Pointe currently is a minor subdivision subject to fewer rules and regulations than a major subdivision.
Aaron Coe, the county’s GIS Manager and Plat Officer, told the board that State’s Attorney Jordon Garrison had researched the issue and found no language in the county’s ordinances that would prevent Gander Pointe owners from further subdividing a lot depicted in the original plat. Further, the cities of Bunker Hill and Brighton, exercising their one and one-half-mile jurisdiction, both agreed to the resubdvision plan.
While the Road and Bridge Committee reviewed the resubdivision plan and recommended approval, a resolution to approve the plan was approved 15-3 with board members Tony Wiggins, Ross Arden and Gordon Heuer voting “no.”
LOTUS WIND FARM AGREEMENT
The board tabled a resolution to approve an engineering agreement totaling $941,000 for work in connection with improving roads to and from the Lotus Wind Farm project in northwestern Macoupin County. County Clerk Pete Duncan said there were numerous questions about the resolution, including the cost of the contract. Scott Jansen, senior development manager for APEX Clean Energy, participated via telephone, telling the board he questioned the $941,000 figure. Questioned by Duncan, Jansen was unable to confirm whether or not the company would pay the cost directly or reimburse the county for the expense.
“I think the best thing to do is to table this agreement tonight,” Duncan told the board. “Let the committee talk about it and come back next month. We’re talking about a lot of money.”
Reinhardt agreed, suggesting the board invite Jansen to the February board meeting to answer questions and provide additional information.
If approved, the resolution would authorize the county to enter into a contract with Cummins Engineering, Springfield, to oversee road improvements to support the weight of heavy equipment used in developing the wind farm.
“This resolution is solely for oversight,” Reinhardt said. “APEX is paying for it all. There’s no county money involved.”
Stretching across North Palmyra and North Otter Townships, the Lotus Wind Farm will have about 50 wind turbines capable of generating 200 megawatts of power—enough to operate 77,500 homes. The company website claims the project will create more than 100 jobs during the construction phase, plus nine permanent jobs when the facility is up and running. The wind farm is expected to generated upward of $57 million in new property tax revenue over the life of the project.
FOUR MONTH REVENUE REPORT
Duncan presented a financial report for the first four months of the current fiscal year, show revenues for the General Fund to be down by $32,000 from a year ago at this time. He said revenue from sales tax, income tax and the personal property replacement tax have been significantly higher in past years.
“Obviously, it’s going to be tight,” Duncan said, “and that’s why I’ll be doing a review every month.”
GREAT RIVERS AND ROUTES TOURISM BUREAU
Board members unanimously approved a routine resolution in support of the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau. The annual resolution is assists the Bureau in seeking annual re-certification from the State of Illinois.
“In my opinion, they do a good job for us,” said Armour in moving to approve the measure.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
- Appointed Dale Lawrence and Joe Perkins, and re-appointed Noah Sisson to three-year terms ending on Feb. 28, 2028, on the Emergency 911 Board, and designated Perkins as an “at-large” member.
- Appointed Duncan as the Freedom of Information Act officer for the county board.
- Approved Chairman Larry Schmidt committee appointments as follows:
- Building and Grounds: Harry Starr, chair; Jim Ibberson, vice-chair; John Blank, Gordon Heuer, Ryan Kilduff, John Trevino, Tony Wiggins.
- Courts: Kristi Dunnagan, chair; Kilduff, vice-chair; John Payne, Molly Rosentreter, Arron Stayton, Blank, Wiggins.
- Economic Development: Holly Klausing, chair; Starr, vice-chair; Blank, Kilduff, Dunnagan, Payne, Rosenterer.
- Finance: Payne, chair; Todd Armour, vice-chair; Ross Adden, Mark Dragovich, Bernie Kiel, Blank, Heuer,
- General Administrative: Kiel, chair; Stayton, vice-chair; Leann Barr, Klausing, Ibberson, Trevino.
- Labor Management: Armour, chair;Dunnagan, vice-chair; Stayton, Dragovich, Heuer, Klausing, Trevino.
- Liquor Commission: Ibberson, chair; Klausing, vice-chair; Barr, Blank Rosentreter, Starr, Wiggins.
- Public Safety: Stayton, chair; Dragovich, vice-chair; Barr, Adden, Ibberson, Payne, Starr.
- Road and Bridge: Kiel, chair; Heuer, vice-chair; Adden, Armoiur, Barr, Rosentreter, Wiggins.
No action followed a five-minute executive session to discuss employment in the State’s Attorney’s office.
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Carlinville – The Macoupin County Agriculture Education (MCAE) Foundation is offering 6 – $1,000 scholarships for the upcoming 2025-26 school year to students wishing to pursue agriculture majors.
The MCAE Foundation offers scholarships to provide encouragement and financial assistance to Macoupin County residents and/or students of Macoupin County schools who display well-balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to activities and scholastic ability.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a current college student who plans to attend or is attending an Illinois junior college, college, university or Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and majoring in agriculture.
Applications are available through your high school guidance counselor, high school agriculture instructor or the Macoupin County Farm Bureau® (MCFB®). An electronic copy of the application can be requested by contacting the MCFB® office by telephone or by email at: mcfb@gomadison.com
All applications must be submitted to the MCFB® office by March 27, 2025. Any questions can be directed to the MCFB® office at 217/854-2571.
