Budgeting is never easy for local governments. But it’s particularly difficult when funding is uncertain. Topping the list — a non-starter, all agree — is up to $277 million for a new Peoria County Jail. Take a deep breath and read on.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met June 12 with members Camille Coates, Jennifer Groves Allison and Matt Windish absent.

A three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Police Benevolent Labor Committee-Deputies Unit was unanimously approved. It includes annual increases of 5%, 4% and 4% and $80,000 was approved to cover this year’s wage increases.

Approved on a 13-2 vote was a workforce diversity amendment to the county’s purchasing ordinance for awards exceeding $30,000. Zoning requests were approved in Kickapoo and Logan Townships.

Highlights from the unanimously approved consent agenda include:

• A one-time $5,000 bonus for County Administrator Scott Sorrel following his annual evaluation.
• A $150,000 budget request from Circuit Clerk Bob Spears to pay temporary employees to complete scanning stored paper files.
• Replacement of structures on Willow Knolls Road and resurfacing of Glasford Road from Main Street to Rt. 24.

SPECIAL EXECUTIVE: The County Board’s Executive Committee held a special monthly meeting June 24 at the jail to discuss options for repairs and renovation for the facility. No decisions were made.

However, the county administration requested policy direction from the board and Chairman Jim Dillon echoed that a decision needs to be made within the next few months. Three options were presented following consultations with architectural firm CGL and financial firm Speer Financial. Options ranged from least expensive to most expensive: $20 million to $31 million for essential and immediate repairs up to $221 million to $277 million for a new jail.

The current jail was constructed in two phases, beginning in 1983 and finishing in 1997. Beyond immediate repairs to HVAC, plumbing and other infrastructure, a new kitchen, laundry and loading dock are needed and addressed in another option at a cost
of $25 million to $34 million.

It was determined the most expensive option of building a new jail is not financially feasible. The board will ultimately need to decide how to finance needed repairs and whether to replace the above obsolete sections.

Member discussions revolved around other possible options, debt financing, jail bed capacity, and how to inform and educate county residents of jail needs.

Election Commission

All commissioners were present at the regular meeting of the Peoria County Board Of Election Commissioners on
July 8 except Rosa Kemper.

Petitions to run for the Peoria Public Schools board are now available at the election office.

Most of the meeting was an explanation of a proposed budget for 2026.  It must be explained to the County, then come back to the Election Commission for approval at the August annual meeting.  After that, the Peoria County Board must approve it along with the County budget.

Primary items include raises for staff and management, with an additional raise for Assistant Director Jess Joseph for completing her training to become a key employee.  Other increases include a new health plan chosen by the County, a rent increase due to an enlarged area and new equipment for the new area.  Other costs are up because the 2026 election includes the governor and other state-wide offices. Director Elizabeth Gannon asked for a raise for election judges to $250 and for supervisors to $290.

Lower cost expectations include dropping warranties deemed not worth the expense and pest control, which the County is taking over.

There will be 12,500 permanent Vote-By-Mail mailings for the primary and 20,125 for the general election.  Those numbers are constantly increasing, but that is where they stand now.

Peoria City Council

The Peoria City Council met May 27 for regular meeting with quorum; Andre Allen did not attend. Minutes from May 6 and May 13 were approved. The consent agenda was approved unanimously without discussion.

Under regular business, councilors:

• Voted 9-1 to approve development of property at 3624 and 3622 N. University St. and 1205 W. Florence Ave. Assistant Director of Community Development Leah Allison discussed plans for two stand-alone drive-through businesses at this location which is in a tax increment financing district. Councilor Alex Carmona amended resolution to allow right and left turns out of lot onto University Ave. Traffic study discussed but not requested from developer at this time. Mayor Rita Ali voted no.
• Approved class A liquor license with on-site consumption and retail sale of alcohol for S & A Hospitality, d/b/a as Love Shack at 800 S.W. Adams.
• Received and filed unaudited financial report for March presented by Finance Director/Comptroller Kyle Cratty, as well as file report-backs requested by Councilor Denis Cyr on Hotel, Restaurant and Amusement (HRA) taxes and six other issues. Council members discussed pension fund investments, payments due in coming year of $36 million and potential impact of the state expanding sales tax services.

There were no public comments from citizens to address the council, which adjourned for closed session to discuss potential purchase of real property, litigation and closed-session minutes.

Sanitary District

The Greater Peoria Sanitary District Investment Committee and Board of Trustees met June 16.

Trustee elections were held for 2026. The current slate of trustees was approved. Note there was no public attendance at this meeting.

GPSD management reported lower operating expenses than budgeted. Accounts receivable are also down due to improvements in collectability.

The Board approved a bond arbitrage payment of $514,000 plus associated filing expenses.

Trustees also approved John Graham & Associates to provide plan administration and financial advisory services. The new plan will result in a significant positive financial outcome and lower employees’ fees.

Additionally, a new health insurance plan selected by management will reduce the cost of health insurance for participating employees. These initiatives aim to improve the financial standing of GPSD while ensuring the employees’ welfare.

Lower new connections were reported in comparison to the same period last year.

Springdale Cemetery

Board members met June 16. Members Henry Blackwell, Pam Johnson and Zachary Oyler were absent.

There were 47 burials year to date. Approximately 1,514 people visited the cemetery over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Capt. Tisdell Veterans Fund has raised $1,000 for the unmarked veterans sites. Volunteers planned to clean stones in July. The grounds budget is 13% down from last year to date.

Repairs for the office roof and gutters are estimated at $36,748. Estimated repairs for the mausoleum’s copper roof, gutters, tuck-pointing and caulking is $100,000. Bids will be presented in July.

New Officers for the year beginning July 1, 2025: Chair, Lisa Fisher; Vice Chair, Henry Blackwell; Secretary, Betty Duncan; Treasurer, Pam Johnson.

Airport Authority

The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria board convened May 28 at Gen. Wayne A. Downing Airport. Eight of the nine commissioners and three staffers were present.

The board approved the minutes of the April 30 board meeting, the May 1 Marketing/Air Service Committee meeting, and the May 19 Projects /Finance Committee. New commissioner Michael Phelan was introduced. He was appointed by the mayor of Peoria Heights, replacing Kevin Shields.

Director of Airports Gene Olson reported an increase in the third federal grant for the air traffic control tower of approximately $1.5 million to total approximately $17.5 million. Administration will continue to apply for funding opportunities. The board approved Mr. Olson’s action items on the agenda.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Randy Hurst noted the airport was providing space on this day to make comfortable 27 soldiers who had missed their flight to Dallas.

Manager of Marketing & Public Relations Cheryl Bockhold-Sloan said passenger numbers for Peoria are still good.

LWVGP observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check out lwvgp.org/2025