Voting is down. Construction season is about to start. And Dunlap schools handled a gun threat.

Peoria County Board

Peoria County Board met March 14 with all members present except Brandy Bryant.

It amended an agreement with Trajectory Energy LLC to construct solar farms in the Peoria County Business Park along Maxwell Road. Construction is expected this spring. Leases are set at $1,200 per acre, generating approximately $6,000 per year. It also accepted bids to demolish eight unsafe structures and replace five residential roofs.

Salaries for the Circuit Clerk and Coroner were increased after being frozen since 2015. Both positions will have salaries of $111,674 starting in December 2024 and will increase 2% annually through 2027.

Also unanimously approved were a culvert replacement on Akron Road, an engineering agreement for road improvements on the Hanna City-Glasford Road, sealcoating in 13 townships, and a 45 mph speed limit on Koerner Road from Parkside Circle to Charter Oak Road.

The board OK’d a new chip spreader to replace equipment purchased in 2005, and accepted a roughly $1 million bid to replace the Peoria County Jail ring road and Juvenile Detention Center parking lot. Courtroom technology improvements and a new one-year agreement with the county corrections employees were approved.

Peoria City Council

On Feb. 27, City Clerk Stefanie Tarr discussed the significance of Chief Deputy City Clerk Trina Bonds’ achieving the Certified Municipal Clerk designation.

Public meetings were held on proposed Galena Road Industrial Park Tax Increment Financing (TIF), proposed West Lamont Avenue Special Service TIF, and Proposed Distillery TIF. Members of the public spoke at the last two public meetings. All three projects were approved.

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Melodi Green offered information on minority and women-owned business participation in Peoria capital projects, as requested by Councilor Denise Jackson. Councilors weighed barriers and efforts to improve participation, the latter including a March 28 expo at the Peoria Civic Center.

Finance Director Kyle Cratty said the Civic Center bridge loan has been repaid and finances overall are on pace with the 2024-25 budget. Expenses decreased $9.8 million year over year. Mayor Rita Ali mentioned the proposed elimination of the 1% grocery tax, which could mean a loss to the city of $4 million if effective July 1. Service cuts may be necessary.

The March 12 meeting began with a public hearing regarding city-wide sewer rate adjustments. No members of the public were present. Proposed sewer lateral rate changes were approved and will increase average quarterly residential household bills by 52 cents beginning May 1.

The consent agenda passed with little discussion. City Manager Patrick Urich received an increase in base salary of 3% and a $5,000 longevity bonus.

The first readings were presented on termination: Northside Tax TIF, Central Business (Downtown) TIF and Midtown Plaza TIF. Discussion included using funds for adjacent projects, if eligible. Remaining funds may go to taxing bodies or road improvements.

Election Commission

On March 12, Peoria County Election commissioners heard 10,600 primary ballots went to vote-by-mail primary voters; 5,600 had already been returned.

Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon said there were enough judges for the primary; more will be needed in November.

On April 9, Gannon reported a 14.8% primary turnout — the lowest in at least 20 years. About 2% voted early, 5.8% voted by mail; 7% voted on Election Day — and 8.6% of them voted at a precinct not their own. Only three polling places had no voters from outside their precincts; 27% of vote-by-mail voters used drop boxes.

Dunlap District 323

The regular school board meeting met March 21 with eight members present (one remote).

Dr. Scott Dearman recognized the bus driver and monitor with the Eagle Talon Award for their heroic actions at the bus accident in February.

He also commended staff for handling an incident involving a handgun found in a student’s locker in mid-March.

A parent spoke to the board about better communication with parents during this type of emergency situation.

Associate Director of Curriculum Dr. Matt Andrews presented details for new high school English and speech textbooks. Cost to the district would be $142,726, with an additional $94,160 provided through grants.

Board members approved a staffing estimate cost of $219,737 for 2024-25 school year, a parking lot bid of $338,965 and $33,000 for entry/exit and approved rooftop bids.
The open session was closed at 7:20 p.m.

League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check out lwvgp.org