Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustees met Aug. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on August 25, 2025 at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL. Trustees Jamie Jackson, Jay Trusner, Kurt Terry, Jeff Eller, Kevin Vessels, April Bogan, Treasurer Teresa Acree, Budget Officer Rick Laskowski, Attorney Joshua Dubbelde, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Les Jenkins were present. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adopt Meeting Agenda

Mayor Jenkins would like to move the Engineer up, behind the visitor portion. Motion by Trustee Trusner to adopt the meeting agenda with this change. Trustee Eller 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Approve Minutes

Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve regular board meeting minutes from July 28, 2025. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Visitors

Luna Espinoza West—senior from Sangamon Valley High School. She is working on her Eagle project. Wants to build an outdoor classroom at SV high school. She received donations of approximately $2000 so far and was asking if the Village of Harristown could donate to her project. Hutchins Excavating is helping with the concrete. It will be a 20x20 concrete pad with a pavilion. This will be discussed later in the meeting.

Auditors Report-Tracie England from McGuire, Yuhas, Hoffman, Buckley, discussed the auditor report. No major issues discovered.

Engineers Report

NPDES Elimination Program-project has been submitted to IEPA for funding. Received an agreement and will begin design. Permits will be issued under EJ Water’s name to keep the project rolling.

MFT-bids received. Entler- $49,800.45; Dunn $ 37,100.00; Dunn $47,189.80 oil and chip. Motion by Trustee Trusner to accept both bids from Dunn Co. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Service Line/Meter Replacement-funding will be reapplied for in March 2026

CDS Grant-village does not have funding reserved thru the CDS program.

Mayor’s Report

Conflict of interest-Mayor Jenkins stated if there is ever a conflict of interest with the Trustees on voting, to please abstain from voting.

Wycklesfest -Mayor Jenkins said this festival went pretty well.

Golf Cart Rally-bigger this year, 57 vehicles. $2310 was raised for the Macon County Honor Guard. Thanks to everyone that had a stop.

SV Basketball-they picked up their check from the Village.

Approve bills over $1,000

Burdick $ 3,260 repair water leak-245 N. Waldorf Water Fund

EJ Water $ 1,900 service line bored/replaced 7990 W. Main Water Fund

Troy Page $ 1,000 2 loads CA6 to water plant General Fund

Motion by Trustee Eller to approve above additional bills for $ 6160. Trustee Terry 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Treasurer Report

Treasurer Acree discussed. Motion by Trustee Trusner to approve Treasurer report. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Comcast does not have security cameras. Moved 3 phones to 1 phone; voicemail to 1, and reduced mega bites. This reduced the bill from $ 476 to $128.95. Water plant bill went from $245 to $133.

Budget Officers Report

BO Laskowski discussed. Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve report. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6- 0.

Old Business

Luna Espinoz-West donation-Attorney advised this would be for an individual. There is a risk giving an individual money if the project does not get completed. Trustee Bogan stated she is way behind on her project if this is to be completed by October; she suggested not giving her the full amount. She said with Eagle projects, you really need to earn the money for the project. Motion by Trustees Vessels to approve up to $1500 to her, when she brings in her receipts. Trustee Terry 2nd. Trustee Bogan abstained. Approved 5-1.

Indus TIF-Mayor Jenkins stated Indus have not asked for it. He does not think we should give them TIF money for growery until it is complete. Attorney said to send them a letter telling them they are in default and the TIF can be legally terminated.

Grocery Tax-Motion by Trustee Vessels to approve as ordinance 25-09, grocery tax. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Roll call: Trustee Jackson yes; Trustee Eller yes, Trustee Trusner yes, Trustee Vessels yes, Trustee Terry yes, Trustee Bogan yes. Approved 6-0.

Kate’s/Blue Spoon agreement-Attorney stated the new business, Blue Spoon, should be on the same TIF agreement. The village paid for some of Kate’s equipment; we do not know what the new owner has removed. If Blue Spoon does not sign agreement, we have to tell Megan (Kate’s) she owes us $30,000. An agreement has been signed between Kate’s and Blue Spoon but nothing with village has been signed. Motion by Trustee Vessels for Mayor Jenkins to approach them with agreement and if they approve it, Mayor Jenkins has ok to sign it. Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Public Works

Mr. Closs not present. Eleven water leaks in last three months. All waters meters are in and a few have been installed.

Zoning Officers Report-nothing to report

New Business

Water fund-savings fund. Instead of transferring, Treasurer Acree would like to leave funds in IL Fund and then move as needed. Motion by Trustee Trusner to eliminate the transfer of funds from IL Fund to savings. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Tiny House-lady called Village and asked if she could put a tiny house on a property. Mayor Jenkins suggested coming up with a minimum square foot for a house. 750 square feet minimum. Trustee Bogan sated she thinks tiny houses needs to be addressed, tiny houses are becoming more popular. Trustee Eller said he doesn’t care, it is their property. Trustee Trusner questioned if the tiny houses would have a foundation and also questioned barndominiums. Trustee Trusner will get with Rick Watts and checks what constitutes a house. Tabled until next month.

Solicitors Fee-Mayor stated 2 people came in to get permit (company). They will be coming back and asked if they have to pay fee again? Board wants to leave as is and that it is required to get a new permit each time.

New Projects-Mayor asked the Board if they had any thoughts on new projects. He requested they think about this.

Committee Reports

Public Works-nothing to report

Ordinance - nothing to report

Personnel – nothing to report

Business – nothing to report

Attorney – nothing to report

Motion by Trustee Eller to adjourn. Trustee Trusner 2nd. Approved 6-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/documents/231/VOH_8_25-25.pdf