City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
PRESENT: Aldermen Miller, Garfield, Muench, Brault, Pence, Petersen, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier
ABSENT: Alderman Dewitt
GUESTS: Kathryn Brady-McVay with East Central Illinois Community Action Agency, Shawn Peters and Jason Cahoe with the Watseka Family Festival, Helen Gerber with the Watseka Renewal Group
Mayor Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the December Treasurers report and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
Kathryn Brady-McVay with the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency spoke next. She shared with the committee exactly what all the agency does for Iroquois County, such as helping with utility bills, car repairs, rent, etc. She shared her email address and phone number with the committee and stated her office is at 114 N 3rd St and she is there from 7:30 -4:30 Monday thru Friday.
Mayor Marcier stated there are some transfers that need to be made, Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $100,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into the social security fund 3-10-9000 and Alderman Brault seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to transfer $122,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into the Liability Insurance fund 8-10-9000 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $47,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into the Audit fund 9- 10-9000 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Alderman Garfield makes a motion to transfer $250,000 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into the street and alley fund 6-10-9000 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
Mayor Marcier stated everyone has before them a copy of the Fox Group engagement letter. The cost for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is $53,000.00. Alderman Miller makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the engagement letter from Fox Group for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 for $53,000 and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
Shawn Peters and Jason Cahoe with The Watseka Family Festival committee spoke next. Mr. Peters stated the committee went to the county to ask for funding and they were turned down. They stated they have secured 4 acts for the weekend, and the announcement will be coming out in March. The festival committee thanked the city for the donations and support over the years. They went on to say that the money is not only used for the weekend but also for the winter fest and the other events they hold over the year at no cost to the citizens. Mayor Marcier stated he budgeted $50,000 and this donation comes from the hotel/motel tax and last year it only brought in $29,000 so the extra comes from the general fund. There was discussion about the employees from public works that donate their time after hours but also do some work on city time also. The discussion went on about next years donation going to $25,000. Alderman Garfield asked if the festival committee has gone to bigger sponsors such as a beer company or Pepsi. Mr. Peters stated they will be doing that as soon as they get the 501C (3) letter from the state. Once they get that letter they can start applying for grants. Alderman Petersen makes a motion to recommend to the council to donate $50,000 to the Watseka Family Festival with next year’s donation decreasing and Alderman Brault seconded.
Helen Gerber with the Watseka Community Renewal Group spoke next. She read their mission statement regarding the group. The group is 501C(3) and they are offering businesses in Watseka a grant in the amount of $1,000. They have 5 available. These grants can be used for interior maintenance or renovations, beautification, marketing or advertising, signage, purchase of equipment or display units. The funds cannot be used for rent or utilities or inventory. This grant is open only to small businesses operating from a commercial storefront location. Home based and cottage businesses are not eligible at this time. The deadline is April 1st and the grants will be awarded at the beginning of May. The committee thanked the group for all the work they have done and also thanked the Watseka Rocks for their work in the downtown area.
Mayor Marcier stated the city received a check from the Save our Station group for $102,629.98. This money has its own line item for income and expenses and will be tracked separately. Mayor Marcier stated he is looking at getting some security cameras and new locks installed. At some point the city will be renting out the basement for events.
Alderman Garfield makes a motion to adjourn at 7:08 pm and Alderman Brault seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.
https://www.watsekacity.org/media/4786
