Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal and Audit Committee met Oct. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Barragree, Cahoe, Marcier, Garfield, Miller, Alderwoman Musk and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Rushbrook

Alderman Barragree opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. During public comment Yamei Rohlfs asked the committee to consider making trick or treat hours 4-7 instead of 4-6. The committee is ok with this.

Also, during public comment Carl Davis spoke about businesses water bills, he stated his business only uses 1-2 thousand gallons per month, but the minimum bill is for 4000 gallons, so he feels he is paying double. The committee thanked him for coming in.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the September Treasurer’s report and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Alderman Barragree stated 2 TIF disbursements need to be made. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to make TIF 4 disbursement to JR Developments for $2036.55 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the Council to make a TIF 4 disbursement to Designer Homes for $2473.67 and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Alderman Barragree stated it is time to pay the city’s liability insurance. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to recommend to the council to pay IMLRMA $154,160.63 and Alderman Marcier seconded. Roll call carried d7-0. 

Alderman Barragree stated a transfer needs to be made into the street and alley fund. Part of this transfer is for the sidewalk construction that was done in the downtown area. Alderman Cahoe makes a motion to transfer $303,061.00 from the general fund 1-10-8000 into street and alleys 6-10-9000 and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 7-0. 

Mayor Allhands asked the committee to consider splitting the alcohol tax monies into downtown improvements and into the police pension fund. At this time, it is all going into the police pension fund, and he feels there are some projects that could be done downtown with these funds in addition to the grant funds that the city has applied for. Then a discussion was held regarding the underfunding of the police pension and how soon more officers will be retiring which will make that underfunding even worse. Most of the committee was not in favor of doing this split. Mayor Allhands then asked if the committee was willing to increase the alcohol tax to 5% to generate more monies to split into the two accounts. The committee wasn’t in favor of this either.

Mayor Allhands stated he gave the committee some information from Teska about getting another TIF district to help with the downtown. He also gave them information form Carlie regarding trying to get a historical district in the downtown area. He also stated he has people looking at getting another restaurant in town but due to staffing issues this is still a work in progress.

Alderman Cahoe wanted to discuss the business water and sewer rates. A short discussion was held about how city costs are rising also, gas and electric and wages. No action was taken.

Alderman Barragree makes a motion to adjourn at 6:56 pm and Alderman Garfield seconded. Roll call carried 7-0.

http://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/finance-10-18-22.pdf