Macon Reporter

City of Clinton City Council met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the Public Hearing for the Annual Levy of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 6:45 p.m. On roll call Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds were present.

Vice President of the Council Edmunds opened the public information session and turned the hearing over to Clint Lichtenwalter, City Treasurer. He reported overall the EAV is projected to go up 7.3% to 82 million on the total Levy $1.9 million which in total Levy dollars that equates to a 1.5% increase but because the EAV is actually going up by so much that makes the tax rate decrease by 5.4%. That is two years in a row that we have had a pretty significant decrease in the rate and six out of the last seven years has been some sort of decrease in rate. A lot of that has to do with our Pension Funds. IMRF we joined in 2010 was 40% - 45% funded and caught up on that. Fire Pension is overfunded at this point. Police Pension is down some but still in the 90%. The only major line item changes we moved funds from Fire Pension to Police Pension. Commissioner Edmunds asked about the Self-Funded Insurance.

Vice President of the Council Edmunds asked for any comments by the Council or by those attending the hearing. Hearing none, motion was offered by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the hearing. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice

Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of the Council Thomas Edmunds, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, and Buchanan were present.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Ronald Devore addressed the Council regarding his sewer line. He comes before the Council asking for help. He has paid over $2,388 to have it fixed. Public Works Director, Steve Lobb stated that the City has helped him out and this has been an ongoing problem for him, but the line belongs to the Sanitary District and Mr. Lobb suggested an easement be put in place and for him to talk to the Sanitary District Board, so they are aware of the situation. Mr. Devore had supporting documents dated back to 1969 that he paid a fee to connect to the sewer system from the Sanitary District. Mr. Lobb stated to talk to the Sanitary District Board and hopefully they will help you out.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 5, 2023 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

The bills and payroll were read.

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise that the bills and payroll be allowed as read and the Clerk be instructed to issue warrants on the Treasurer for the several amounts. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

PETITIONS

None

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Vice President of the Council Edmunds had no report.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Buchanan wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Commissioner Wise reported the Water Department functioned well while Lloyd Francis was gone on vacation. He stated that On File there is a Contract for Printing and Mailing Water Bills, and we will be able to put notifications in with the water bills if something comes up that citizens need to know about. He appreciates everyone and the hard work they do for the City and hopes everyone has a Joyous Holiday.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY

Commissioner Ballenger reported the Brownstone is carefully being taken down by hand until he can start using his equipment. He also wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES

Commissioner Edmunds had no report but wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to adopt Ordinance #1583 (Black property), Ordinance #1584 (Ryan property), Ordinance #1585 (Totten property), An Ordinance Abating Taxes for Certain Territory in the City of Clinton, Illinois. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Wise to adopt Ordinance #1586, An Ordinance Increasing Tax Rate for Street and Bridge Purposes and Ordinance #1587, An Ordinance Levying Tax for Street Lighting Purposes. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to adopt Ordinance #1588 and Ordinance #1589, An Ordinance Increasing Tax Rate for Water Fund Purposes. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to adopt Ordinance #1590, An Ordinance Levying Tax for Working Cash Purposes. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adopt Ordinance #1591, Annual Levy Ordinance. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to adopt Ordinance #1592, An Ordinance Regarding the Paid Leave For All Workers Act in the City of Clinton. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

NEW BUSINESS

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the Application for Rezoning Amendment #375 for the Park Lane West Subdivision be Rezoned R1 Single Family from A1 Agricultural. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the Employee Personnel Manual. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan, Wise, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds vote “Yes.”

On File – Short-Term Rental Permit Application

On File – Contract for Printing and Mailing Water Bills – Infosend, Inc.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise, Ballenger, and Vice President of the Council Edmunds voted “Yes.”

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