Kankakee Times

City of Watseka Finance, Legal & Audit Committee met April 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

PRESENT: Aldermen Marcier, Barragree, Cahoe, Miller, Anderson, Alderwomen Rohlfs and Delahr and Mayor Allhands

ABSENT: Alderman Muench

Alderman Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30. There was no public comment. Alderman Barragree makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the March Treasurers report and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Marcier stated he has been working on the budget and its now finished and balanced. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to accept the balanced budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Marcier stated the committee has a copy of the letter from Knights of Columbus asking for a donation for the fireworks. Last year the city donated $7500. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to donate $7500 to the Knights of Columbus for the fireworks and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Mayor Allhands stated the Muller subdivision property is for sale and there is a potential buyer. The committee thinks this is a positive for the city and are hoping the potential buyer buys it and maybe some building will develop. There are 40 lots there and the new buyer will need to follow all the building codes if they decide to build on it.

Alderman Marcier stated the city has received the Fox Group engagement letter for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025 for $51,000. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the engagement letter from Fox Group for $51,000 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

The committee also has before them a proposed cell tower lease extension. The current lease expires in 2031. After a short discussion the committee agrees to leave it for now as 2031 is a long way away. Alderman Marcier makes a motion to leave the current cell tower ground lease terms as is for now and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Payroll rates for non-union employees were discussed next. Alderman Marcier stated most of the rates are an increase of 5%. Alderwoman DeLahr is not in agreement with any of this. She stated we are a small community, and she would like to poll other communities of the same size and see what their pay scales are. She also stated there is no disrespect to the employees, she just feels the rates are too high. Alderman DeLahr believes the city is also paying Robinson Engineering a lot more money than in the past. Alderman Marcier stated over the last few years the rates have increased to keep the good quality of employees that we have now. In the past with the lower pay rates employees would not stay long. After more discussion Alderman Marcier makes a motion to recommend to the council the following: Building Inspector $29.19 and Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 7-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr voting no, Code Enforcement $25.20 Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 7-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr voting no, Administrative Assistant $31.39 Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 6-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr and Alderman Anderson voting no, Police Secretary $22.05 Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0, Deputy Chief $47.90 with Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0, Police Chief $62.04 with Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 7-1 with Alderwoman DeLahr voting no, Public Works Director/Water Wastewater Management $68.75 with Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 6-2 with Alderwoman Delahr and Alderman Anderson voting no.

Alderman Marcier stated there is 1 transfer to make. Alderman Barragree makes a motion to recommend to the council to transfer $200,000 from 1-10-1000 general fund into Capital Equipment 1-10-1045, Alderman Cahoe seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

Alderman Marcier makes a motion to adjourn at 7:00 and Alderman Barragree seconded. Roll call carried 8-0.

https://www.watsekacity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/finance-4-16-2024.pdf