Journalists say, “Follow the money.” And there was a lot to follow in the last few weeks, from plans to improve the Peoria County Jail to efforts to reduce higher-than-expected bids at the sanitary district.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Oct. 10 with all members present except Brian Elsasser and Steven Rieker.

The two regular business items were passed unanimously without discussion. A contract for $747,213 was approved for Peoria County Courthouse repairs and cleaning, and a zoning request was approved in Radnor Township.

The following were highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda:

• American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to purchase an unimproved 53-acre tract.
• Civil litigation settlement in the amount of $175,000.
• A three-year agreement with Wellpath for $8,743,715 to provide jail detainee mental and medical healthcare at the Peoria County jail.
• Contracts with FamilyCore and the Human Service Center to provide Redeploy program services in the amount of $369,643.
• An $85,900 contract with J&F Chiatello to replace a salt dome roof.

The board received a 20-minute presentation on a new plan that outlined five options for maintenance and improvements at the jail, which was built in 1985. Options range from expanded maintenance funding to demolition of some sections with new construction to a totally new jail. Costs range from $23 million to $277 million. The board will conduct a policy discussion once the full report is available.

Six citizens’ remarks were received concerning proposed wind energy towers in western Peoria County near Brimfield, Laura and Princeville. The proposal had not yet been addressed by the Zoning Board or the County Land Use Committee.

Peoria City Council

On Sept. 24, all members of the Council were present. There were three public hearings for annexation of property — at 9910 N. Orange Prairie Rd. and IL Rte. 91, 6500 W. Rte. 150, Dunlap, and 1033 E. Mossville Rd. — and one proposed amendment to annexation agreement for 9601 Allen Rd.

No public comments were made. Councilors approved purchase of Tower on Adams Properties; vote was 9-2 in favor, with Councilors Denis Cyr and John Kelly opposed.

Under new business, Cyr requested information on laws or ordinances to provide consistent closing times for businesses with liquor licenses.

On Oct. 8, the council met on time with all members present.

In regular business, councilors:

• Approved the $108,750 purchase of 15 Blue Ridge Armor Rifle-Rated Ballistic Shields to replace outdated shields.
• Received and filed 2025 revised budget. The proposed budget was $282.2 million, with $186 million for general fund, $65 million for capital investment, no increase in safety pension. It will close out $47.1 million ARPA funds.
• Heard Finance Director Kyle Cratty update finances for month ending Aug. 31. Revenues continue to be ahead of schedule and slightly behind on expenditures.

Dunlap District 323

On Oct. 16, the regular school board meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. with six members present. Board member Andrew Tyra was absent.

Superintendent Scott Dearman reported two FOIA requests have been completed, and Dunlap Middle School received a National Blue Ribbon Award. He said all schools in the district are designated commendable or exemplary. In spite of high marks in many areas, there is a need to address absenteeism and truancy. Open session closed at 6:21 p.m.

ICC Board Of Trustees

All trustees were present at the Oct. 17 Illinois Central College board meeting except Kelly Daniels.

Vice President of Finance Bruce Budde said real estate tax receipts look favorable this month. Corporate property replacement tax is on track this month, but it will be down significantly for the year. Hopefully this shortfall will be made up in other ways.

The board recognized the success and achievements of students and advisors from one of the apprenticeship programs. There are 181 students enrolled in the increasing number of apprenticeship programs. ICC planned to recognize apprenticeship students at a Signing Day event at the Peoria Campus on Nov. 19.

Community college legislative priorities include:

1) Authority to award Bachelor of Applied Science degrees leading to high wage/high demand careers 2) improved access to dual credit for all Illinois students 3) enhanced transfer process to public four-year programs 4) maintaining local control and 5) developing a statewide common manufacturing workforce ecosystem.

As of Oct. 15, 5,460 undergraduate students had enrolled in the fall term. Some 2,239 individual students (41%) received either state or federal funding; that does not include grant awards or foundation-supported students.

Budde discussed the Clery Act Reporting & Campus Police Annual Report which shows few incidents reported on the ICC campuses. He credited campus police.

A draft of the tax levy was provided. Since it was developed, Budde said, equalized assessed valuations have been reported for the three main counties. Tazewell increases 8.5%; Woodford 9% and Peoria County 7.5%.

Board members moved to closed session at 6:40 p.m.

Sanitary District

Greater Peoria Sanitary District Board of Trustees and Investment Committee met on Oct. 15. The Investment Committee reported the plan to reinvest $2.5 million in CDs was encouraged by the market conditions.

GPSD management is working on several maintenance and investment projects, including:

• Authorized the agreement to build Landfill #3 with GFL Waste Company. City costs will decrease to slightly less than $1.5 million. Residents will see $25/month fee on tax statement and household hazardous waste events will be held monthly in the county.
• Extending annual Oberlander Electric contract and G.A. Rich & Sons mechanical contract through February 2025 and April 2025, respectively.
• Approving Pretreatment Building Hydro-Gritter Painting Project to Era Valdivia Contractors, Inc., $108,800. There were four bidders.
• Rejecting bids for grease receiving facility and authorizing bidding of a revised project. Bids received were significantly higher than what GPSD is currently budgeting.
• Upgrading its digester operations. Burnham Corp is reviewing the current operations and is considering making a capital investment.

In administrative news:

Replacement taxes received are a bit lower than this time last year. Seasonal expenses are expected to increase next month. Electronic security issues at American Water impacted this month’s billing. As a result, revenue is slightly lower than budget this month, while income year-to-date is over budget.

Pollutant levels showed an increase of phosphorous in May through September. Effluent fecal coliform also showed one spike during the last month. It is not clear if the latter is due to sampling irregularities. Chemical expenses are expected to increase accordingly. Expenses also will include sludge hauling.

Inventory audits accounted for all assets.
GPSD reported progress towards compliance with the 2023 U.S. Environmental Protection  Agency consent order.

Springdale Cemetery

Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met Oct. 21 with all members present except Zach Oyler.

Aaron Comte was approved as new General Manager, replacing Mark Matuszak, who has served since 2013. Comte, a Peoria native, has most recently been employed at Wilton Mortuary.

The board reviewed the 2025 draft budget expected to be approved in December.

Authority members unanimously approved repairs to the privately-owned Zotz mausoleum damaged during a July storm. Pending insurance approval, the board OK’d engaging Otto Baum Company to complete the needed work based on its estimate of $42,000 for the repairs.

The board deferred further action on merging the “Decoration Trust Fund” with the cemetery endowment fund until legal counsel can provide the correct wording for the board resolution.

Engineering plans were reviewed for the “South Center North” area that abuts the Savannah. The area will be developed to provide at least 360 new burial lots. However, a new road may be necessary to provide easier access for funeral vehicle and foot traffic.

League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check https://www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo

League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, go to the LWVGP website