Taxes and budgets and construction … 2026 can only begin by building on a lot of detailed effort in late 2025.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Nov. 13 with all members present.

The board passed the annual budget and the 2025 tax levy payable in 2026 on 16-2 votes with Members Steven Rieker and Brian Elsasser voting in opposition. The tax levy remained static at $0.824 but will generate more revenue due to an increase in the county’s equalized assessed value.

On a 15-3 vote, the board passed fee increases for five departments: PCAPS, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, Health Department and Coroner. Members Danny Phelan, Dan Kelch and Sharon Williams voted in opposition. County policy requires that fees cover the cost of service delivery and the new fee schedules will accomplish that goal. An amendment passed permitting the Clerk’s fee increases to be phased in over a two-year period while the other departments will see full increases in 2026.

Highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda include:

• Civil litigation settlement in the amount of $220,000.
• Road and structure projects on Princeville Cemetery Road, Radnor Road and Smithville Road.
• Reduced speed limits on sections of Duncan Road and Krause Road.
• Janitorial services contract with PHD Services for a two-year period in the amount of $2.16 million.
• Courtroom 321 remodeling contract with Dewberry for $100,000.

Peoria City Council

Councilors met Oct. 14, with a quorum present.

The consent agenda passed without discussion. An ordinance was introduced reducing the number of members on the Transportation Commission. Report was received and filed.

After much discussion, Councilors voted unanimously to amend an ordinance prohibiting nuisance gatherings.

Eight citizens spoke on a variety of topics: status of unhoused individuals, recent crowd gathering in downtown area and police response, and criminalizing unhoused.

On Oct. 28, Councilors again met with a quorum present.

Minutes were approved. The consent agenda also was approved, except for an item regarding short-term rental. It was denied due to neighborhood covenant prohibiting commercial activity.

Finance Director/Comptroller Kyle Cratty discussed abating nearly $18 million of existing debt of tax levies on general obligation corporate bonds and maintaining $2 million for road improvements. Councilors approved, and adopted the 2026-27 Biennial Budget.

Dunlap District 323

Six members were present at the Nov. 19 regular school board meeting. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Matt Andrews thanked school board members for their service and gave each a token of appreciation. He announced the following awards:

Shauna Segler, Illinois Outstanding Middle School Speech Educator 2025-26. Amelia Roberts, Dunlap High School, Assistant Principal of the Year. Nolan Eccles, Class 2A Golf Champion and PJS Boys’ Golfer of the Year. Sydney Hunt, PJS Girls’ Golfer of the Year

Two Freedom of Information Act requests from October are being fulfilled.

Dr. Scott Dearman will retire after the 2026-27 school year. A new superintendent would be hired by July 2027.

Dr. James Helton, Associate Executive Director of Search Services from the Illinois Association of School Boards, gave a detailed explanation of how they conduct a superintendent search. Services are comprehensive, including school and community input. Cost for the nationwide search base package is $9,400. Board President Tom Feldman said he will get board feedback and respond to Helton.

Dr. Andrews explained Illinois School Report card results, including:

• Hickory Grove and Banner grade schools, Dunlap Middle School and Dunlap High all received exemplary status. Student attendance has improved.
• Goals for the coming year are to give students more opportunities to explore college and career paths, get stakeholder feedback and data to revise curriculum, special education student services and department plans.

Andrews also said there are $140,000 in uncollected student fees and explained the collection process. Asked if there was a waiver available for those who can’t pay, he said yes, and there are also payment plan options.

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Mike McKenzie discussed the 2025 tax levy and estimate of revenues needed. Based on 7% increase on EAV, levy from 2024, and consultation with the assessor, he recommends proposed levy of $50,781,700 with calculated rate 4.434460.

As of June 30, he reported, there was $23,005,577.05 cash balance and $33,364,508.71 in investments.

Action items approved include: Paying $11,716,666.44 in bills; the 2025-26 school calendar; issue and sale of no more than $62,750,000 of funding bonds and refunding bonds of the District and the levy of taxes to repay the bonds.

After questions by board members Nicolas Yemm and Theresa Holshouser, Feldman and McKenzie explained this amount included the $44 million for Wilder Waite construction and an extension of previous bonds.

Airport Authority 

The Oct. 29 meeting of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria was called to order with six of nine commissioners present. Absent were Aaron Gunn, Karen Jensen, and Erik Fehl.

The board approved the consent agenda which included minutes for the Sept. 24
board meeting, the Oct. 20 Marketing/Air Service Committee and the Oct. 20 Projects/Finance Committee.

There was a presentation and discussion about the need to issue $5,319,000 in General Obligation Airport Bonds to pay for outstanding obligations. The board will decide that issue at a later meeting.

Director of Airports Gene Olson’s requests for construction change orders and agreements were approved.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Randy Hurst told the board about an employee medical emergency resulting from a tar splash from a crack sealer. The employee is recovering and safety procedures have been implemented, including new face shields, high-temperature-resistant gloves, long sleeves and pants. The board approved Hurst’s request to purchase a new $58,000 crack sealer with updated safety protections.

Director of Finance and Administration Steve Perrone reported on September’s financial statements and on his research into employee health insurance options. The board approved the financial statements and Perrone’s recommendation to renew the current three funded plans.

Manager of Marketing & Public Relations Cheryl Bockhold-Sloan noted the
successful celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. In September, 61,134 passengers used the airport. The Airport Authority is participating in a task force with public entities in Peoria County for purchasing opportunities.

There was discussion on continuing options for parking at the airport.

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