Chaos may reign around the country, but your local governments and representatives continue to do their jobs.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Aug. 14 with all members present.

The board unanimously approved collective bargaining agreements for the Police Benevolent Labor Committee-Lieutenant Units and the Highway Department employees represented by the local Laborers, Teamsters and Operating Engineers unions. It also approved a $50,000 appropriation to the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District. On a 17-1 vote, the board approved an outdoor mini-storage facility in the largely vacant Madison Park parking lot. District 8 representative Marcia McCann voted no.

During public comment, two county employees encouraged the board to consider six-week paid-paternal-leave benefits for all county employees.

Highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda included:

• A 6.1% cost-of-living-adjustment for Peoria County Sheriff.
• Two PCAPS grants from the Whitney Foundation and ASPCA in the amounts of $2,000 and $30,000, respectively.
• A S116,000 upgrade to the Jury Management System.
• A three-year lease option with Ameresco Solar Land Holdings LLC for a solar project on the landfill property.
• A $202,000 contract to refresh pavement markings.

Peoria City Council

Peoria City Council met on Aug. 12 with a quorum present. Absent were Council members Bernice Gordon-Young, Kiran Velpula and Michael Vespa.

Consent agenda passed without discussion. Of note is a development agreement with 800 Realty Partners Master Tenant, LLC to develop property at 800 S.W. Washington St. for 90 residential units in Warehouse District. An additional 78 residential units are to be developed with 801 Realty Partners Master Tenant LLC.

Adam Pulley of the firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP discussed the 2024 annual comprehensive financial audit of the City. He reported the annual audit was unmodified — the highest level of assurance to receive. He noted a challenge in American Rescue Plan Act funds which needed to be spent or allocated by end of 2024. Unallocated funds were retroactively applied to 2023, which is allowed.

Matt White, Senior Manager of Operations at Illinois American Water Co. (IAWC) updated councilors on lead service lines. The remediation plan included replacing both the utility and customer side of the line

IAWC has focused on replacement of lead service lines over the past 10 years. Approximately 2,700 lead service lines have been replaced, with 850 additional planned this year.

Community Development Director Joe Dulin presented information on tiny homes. Currently, there is no provision for these in zoning and building codes. This would need to be defined as well as transient housing with performance standards for tiny houses.

Discussion included information from other communities such as costs for developing and maintaining tiny-house communities and possible resistance from neighborhoods.

A report back on off-premise advertising (billboards) was presented by Corporation Counsel Patrick Hayes, showing inventory, location, nonconformities and notations from staff. He noted last code amendment was in 2019. Staff is compiling information on how other communities manage annual inspections and ensure compliance with codes.

Citizens Opportunity Address Council: Karrie Alms said proposed action on tiny houses did not accurately reflect what staff asked for, suggesting adding “Request for Direction.”

On Aug. 26, the regular meeting of joint City Council and Town Board Meeting was held with a quorum present. Minutes of joint City Council/Town Board proceedings from Aug. 12 approved.

The consent agenda was approved after discussion of an item to extend existing contract for uniforms and ballistic body armor.

A presentation was given by Matthew Tonc, Ameren Illinois VP of Regulatory Policy and Regulatory Supply, regarding electricity rates. He discussed deregulation in Illinois, supply and demand, climate and energy transition to renewables, data centers and sharing of grids, as well as seasonal auctions of power. He also discussed plans Ameren has for energy assistance to customers. Council members had a lot of discussion, including profit margin and rate increase approved by Illinois Commerce Commission.

City Manager Patrick Urich discussed a Sept. 23 public hearing for business development district for Glen Hollow.

Communications Manager Stacy Peterson reported the 128-year-old time capsule from Peoria City Hall cornerstone is on display on first floor of City Hall. The public opening of the capsule will be held Nov. 2 at the Gateway Building.

Dunlap District 323

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

Superintendent Dr. Scott Dearman reported U.S. News and World Report ranks Dunlap schools No. 1 in the area and No. 41 in Illinois. District enrollment is 4,823.

He showed photos of new traffic flow on the property where new Wilder Waite school is to be built, and of the current state of the training center construction.

Public participation:

• Two people expressed continuing concern about problems with the swimming pool.
• One parent is concerned about her child’s school bus ride lasting 2 1/2 hours daily.
• Tennis coach’s wife noted the need for the tennis players to have practice courts in the new training center.
• Representatives of P.J. Hoerr architectural firm showed diagrams of three options for the outside and inside layouts for the proposed Wilder Waite school. The building is to accommodate 700 students, including pre-K and room for expansion, at a budgeted cost of $40.1 million. The project is on its fifth week and is on track. The firm was to show all design details and cost break downs at the September meeting, when the board was to decide which option is preferred.
• Tentative budget presentation included:
• Total revenue $112,388,071, Total expenditures $81,233,371
• Evidence-based funding increase $1,643,750
• Personal property replacement taxes increase $23,000
• EAV increase by 7%
• Bond issue $44 million
• Construction costs $12 million

After discussion, the board voted 6-1 to approve 2026 tentative budget. A more detailed explanation of budget items was to be given in September.

Airport Authority

Six of the nine commissioners were present at the Aug. 27 meeting of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. Absent were Aaron Gunn, Karen Jensen, and Stephen Roehm.

The board approved the consent agenda, including minutes for the July 21 board meeting, and Aug. 18 Marketing/Air Service Committee and Projects/Finance Committee meetings.

Director of Airports Gene Olson reported 80,836 passengers in July — exceeding 80,000 for the first time. August numbers were boosted when several large flights had to divert to Peoria from Chicago due to a lengthy ground stop at O’Hare. The board approved Olson’s requests for a change order eliminating some work for phase 1 of the new tower; a change order for a smaller storm drain size saving about $4,000; and a change order expanding the west apron.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Randy Hurst noted clean-up activities are still ongoing at Mt. Hawley. The board approved his requests to purchase a snow plow for approximately $614,645 and a three-day, in-depth inspection of the Peoria airport’s baggage belt system for about $14,200.

Director of Finance and Administration Steve Perrone reported utility costs increased for July mainly due to electricity costs. The board accepted the July financial statements and vouchers payable and the 2025 audited financial statements.

Manager of Marketing & Air Service Develop-ment Cheryl Bockhold-Sloan noted the various traditional (not digital) modes there are using for marketing. The board approved her request for for marketing spending.

Election Commission

Peoria County Election Commissioners met Sept. 9, with all commissioners in attendance.

Peoria County Board member Betty Duncan made a presentation to Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon honoring her 20 years of service.

No vote was taken on the last updates for the new warehouse space. Quotes came in too high for dry wall repair and painting. The landlord will hire a property management company to take care of the outside of the building. Brush has been cleaned off the parking lot, but it was just dumped into the wooded area.

A contract has been signed with Neighborhood House for siting of the South Side drop box. All early voting sites and times have been determined. They match what was done in previous years in order to maintain consistency.

— League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. Check out lwvgp.org/news/