For governments, spring means it’s time to repair roads and infrastructure — and that requires some of your money.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Feb. 13 with all members present except Jennifer Groves-Allison, Paul Rosenbohm and Rob Reneau.

In regular business, the board unanimously approved a $300,000 budget amendment to conduct operations of the Peoria City-County Landfill Committee; its cash reserves would be depleted in March 2025. This is a stop-gap measure until the restated Landfill #3 agreement is finalized and executed by GFL, the committee, Peoria County and City of Peoria.

Two zoning cases were approved. The first was approved unanimously, providing a special use for a mini-storage facility in the former Kroger at the Madison Park Shopping Center. The second involved a solar farm originally approved in 2018. A requested change from a four-megawatt farm to a five-megawatt farm requires approval of a new special use. Significant discussion surrounded this request since it borders Chillicothe’s western edge, where future city growth is possible. The county was also able to add new restrictions on this solar farm that were not considered in 2018. Ultimately the request passed 13-2, with members Terry Ruhland and Daniel Kelch voting in opposition.

The consent agenda passed unanimously and included these highlights:

• 2025 State Legislative Agenda in partnership with the City of Peoria and the County Board of Health that includes proposed legislative actions, vertical capital funding (buildings and technology), and horizontal capital funding (roads, streets, bridges).
• An agreement with Tyler Enterprises to migrate the Enterprise Justice System to a cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) platform. The projected cost is $4.06 million over the next five years.
• Three-year lease agreement with Richard E. and Richard M. Shane to farm 20 acres of county-owned land.
• Contracts with Classy Grass for snow removal and Reinhart Landscaping for mowing at county-owned properties.
• A $831,000 preliminary engineering contract with Hanson Professional Services for Glasford Road.
• Sealcoating contracts in Hollis and Limestone Townships.
• One citizen’s remarks in support of possible wind turbines in western and northwestern Peoria County were received in open comments.

Peoria City Council

The Council met Jan. 28 with Councilors Tim Riggenbach and Kiran Velpula absent. Minutes of the Jan. 14 Council meeting were approved.

Consent agenda was approved without discussion. Items of interest include:

• Approval of resolution for the Kona Breeze Subdivision Preliminary Plot, with waivers.
• Deferral of a special-use ordinance to amend existing special-use to allow for properties that are currently single-family homes on Twelve Oaks Dr., in addition to properties bordered by N. Parish Ave, N. Twelve Oaks and Forrest Hill.
• First reading for updates on City code to improve stormwater management policies and procedures. Director of Public Works Rick Powers said there will be no rate changes for current businesses. In response to question from Councilor Denis Cyr, there could be rate increases for new businesses development not currently in operation.

Human Resource Director Ed Hopkins presented a budget-neutral parental leave policy that provides for two weeks’ paid leave for parents for birth, fostering or adoption.

Mayor Rita Ali asked City Manager Patrick Urich about impact of federal funding freezes. Finance Director Kyle Cratty will provide more information. Risk is estimated at $32.9 million.

On Feb. 11, all members were present (Councilor Riggenbach attended electronically).

Minutes of Jan. 28 meeting were approved. The consent agenda was approved without any items pulled for discussion. Of note: an agreement to transfer ownership of sanitary sewer between Elmwood Ave. and Duryea Place from City of Peoria to Bradley University.

In other action, the Council approved purchase of traffic cabinets for protection of traffic signal electronics in amount of $100,000.

Cratty gave an overview of preliminary financial report for Dec. 31, 2024. Audit for 2024 will be done in March. Highlights mentioned slightly lower than expected general fund revenue. Finance department continues to monitor trends and be cautious with budget.

Under new business, Councilor Denise Jackson discussed lighting improvements needed at some areas, such as RiverWest, where a car break-in and shooting occurred recently. Councilor Chuck Grayeb reminded the public not to confront individuals when crime is being committed due to risk of personal injury.

Dunlap District 323

The regular school board meeting was held Feb. 20 with seven members present.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Dearman reported three Freedom of Information Act requests have been completed. Three district employees received the ISBE “Those Who Excel” award and will be honored in May.

Information items included school activity account reports and 2026 Student Handbooks. Board President Dr. Abby Humbles said questions should be referred to her.

Gorenz and Associates reported on the 2024 audit. As of June 2024 the net equity in operating funds was $46,849,506. Total revenue was $48,933,468, with 69% coming from real estate taxes. Total expenditures disbursed were $49,070,049 — 80% for salaries and benefits. The board expressed concern that disbursements exceeded revenue, and real estate taxes were rising.

Comparing operating expense per pupil to that of the state, Dunlap is below Illinois’ average. Outstanding debt has decreased from $76,015,000 in 2013 to $35,490,000 in 2024.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Scott Adreon discussed proposed summer projects, which include piping for heating and cooling and paving. Total expenses are $531,567. He explained the inclusion of $125,000 for the new soccer field.

Presentation about the 2026 Rental Agreement and $90- per-student athletic fee was followed by discussion and concern if fees are to be raised.

Dr. Matt Andrews, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources, reported that there are 4,810 students enrolled in 2025. Staffing requests are for one skill-builders teacher at Dunlap High School, one school psychologist and one social worker. These are needed due to higher caseloads and more students needing services.

Humbles showed the district’s intergovernmental agreement for policing services with the county sheriff’s department.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission

A quorum was present when TCRPC met Feb. 5.

Amanda Beadles, Economic Development Director for Chillicothe, thanked commissioners for providing an affordable way to update the town’s 2014 Comprehensive Plan — $6,000. TCRPC had received a grant to assist small communities’ planning efforts.

Information is available about a draft of the Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) for Region 5, which covers Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties. It outlines transportation for seniors, individuals with disabilities, those with low income, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations. Population numbers include changes from previous population distribution. Twenty libraries in the area have copies available to read or you can access it at https://tri-countyrpc.org/draft-hstp-update/

There was discussion about creating a financial contingency plan to address state or federal funding interruption after the Presidential Executive Orders of Feb. 2. At this time there is no change to the process IDOT is using.

Springdale Cemetery

The Springdale Cemetery Board met Jan. 27. Robert Wilton was absent.

Members heard a proposal for free meditative walking/nature tours for small groups. Discussion will continue.

Marilyn Cundiff retired Jan. 31, after 20-plus years, and was replaced as Family Services Representative by Cindy Ardis Jenkins.

The office roof needs repairs. At least three company bids are required for the roof replacement. Discussion will continue regarding short- or long-term roof repairs.

Pre-application for a road repair grant has been completed. Next comes a planning study regarding the budget. A grant writer will expedite the application.

The Verizon Tower 2025 buy-out proposal on a 20-year lease is $590,000. Discussion will continue.

New benches arrived Jan. 28, making 51 available for cemetery placement. Peoria Park District and Springdale have new stakes marking the areas each maintains in the cemetery. New signage is coming for the Savannah area.

Plotting for Norwood section is 51% pinned, and plots will be available for sale in the summer.

A new cemetery truck was involved in an accident (not its fault) on Jan. 16. It may be replaced with a new vehicle.

There are two to three active leaks in the 1929 section of the mausoleum, as well as electrical issues. When repairs are complete, there will be one double crypt outside and two inside. Then it will be at capacity.

Sanitary District

On Feb. 13, committee members were told the Greater Peoria Sanitary District continues to invest in Certificates of Deposit to capitalize on market conditions. The latest investment is $2 million.

As an insight into the economic development in the region, this year’s connections are lower than the same period in 2024.

GPSD requested bids on concrete repairs and the Kickapoo Creek Bridge painting. Additionally, three projects have been approved:

• Effluent Screw Pump Painting Project to Era Valdivia Contractors, Inc., $78,500.
• Annual Electrical Services Agreement with Oberlander Electric Co., Inc., $178,050.
• A five-Year Agreement with APG-Neuros for Turbo-Blower Maintenance Services, which starts at $46,083, with 2.75% annual increases thereafter.

Revenues and expenses are below budget; year-to-date operating expense is approximately $906,000. The finance department is working to resolve “bad debt expense,” which is above budget.

User charge revenues remain below budget. As the capital and operating expenses are assessed, an increase in quarterly charges is expected. The increases remain lower than that of neighboring regions. Supplies continue to trend higher due to higher chemical expenses. Services trend below budget, which may change once sewer cleaning and inspection and landfill of biosolids begin.

One notable action related to environmental impacts: Renewable Natural Gas, a low-carbon fuel, generated from GPSD digesters will be sold to Ameren.

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