No matter how hot the summer temperatures, grunt work continues on roads, sewers and contracts.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met July 10 with members James Dillon, Betty Duncan, Brandy Bryant, Phil Salzer and Eden Blair absent. The agenda was very light since these were planned absences.
The board unanimously approved zoning cases in Jubilee, Kickapoo, Akron and Rosefield townships. It accepted an extended Strong Communities Program grant that has already funded demolition of 10 abandoned houses and will fund three more removals.

Board members questioned staff concerning HVAC and other issues at the new Health and Human Services building on Sheridan Road. Members requested a list of needed repairs and better communication between staff, board members and building occupants.

Upon her retirement, County Treasurer Nicole Bjerke was recognized for 27 years of county service.

Election Commission

The annual meeting of the Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners was held Aug. 12, with all commissioners present.

The meeting began with Rosa Kemper and Patrick Jennetten being reinstalled by Chief Judge Katherine Gorman.

Since there are no pending lawsuits, executive session minutes are no longer confidential. Audio recordings more than two years old can be erased.

Upgrades to the new warehouse area were approved. They include security window coverings for $4,980 from Midwest Solar Control. These will match coverings on the windows in the rest of the building. Flooring will come from Carpet Weavers for $8,420. Both upgrades will be paid from the 2025 budget.

The election drop box currently located at the Peoria Civic Center will be moved to Neighborhood House. That location is already a polling place, and they have a security system into which the Election Commission can tap. Commissioners also approved a contract renewal for the election judge online training contract.

The 2026 election cycle has begun. Petitions are circulating for Peoria School District 150 and regular political parties. They will be filed in September. There was discussion of the early voting schedule, which will be finalized at a later date.

Peoria City Council

The Peoria City Council met June 24 with quorum present.
The minutes of the June 10 Joint City Council & Town Board were approved. The consent agenda was approved without discussion. Of note, was a request to approve low bid of J.C. Dillon, Inc. and award a $902,235 contract for stormwater outfall repairs, with additional authorization of $90,254.95 for contingencies.

City Manager Patrick Urich and Director of Community Development Joe Dulin received unanimous approval of their request for a grant award extension to LULA NFP to reimburse hotel costs for unsheltered individuals for one month.

Dulin reported the number of people needing housing was expected to be down to 17 individuals by July 1. Funds used are from ARPA funding and were budgeted.

Mayor Rita Ali recognized Great Neighbor Appreciation Week. Dulin and staff discussed events taking place, such as neighborhood cleanup, code enforcement “good job” notices to residents, and a cookout at City Hall.

Consent agenda was approved, with one item pulled for discussion by Councilor Andre Allen. This item provides funding for Community Development Block Grants. Discussion highlighted recommendation for audit to be done by recipient of grant funds use to avoid problems, though not required. City Finance Director Kyle Cratty agreed. Item passed unanimously.

A low bid of $10 million from William Charles was approved for MacArthur Highway Improvement Project, including contingencies.

Council received and filed report on amending Whistleblower Protection Policy and amending city code on trees and shrubs.

Council approved development agreement between City of Peoria, Greater Peoria Sanitary District, Copper Creek Holdings, LLC and Dean Custom Builders for extension of sanitary sewer easement. This will allow the developer to recover some costs of a sewer line with expansion of Haven on Farm and Pringle property.

Cratty gave financial overview as of May 31. Overall expenses were down 1.7% and income was as expected.

On July 22 councilors met with quorum present. Minutes of July 8 Joint City & Town Board were approved.

Consent Agenda passed unanimously, with four items pulled for discussion. That included:

• A $613,140 low bid from Pipco Companies for 2025 storm sewer repairs, including contingencies.
• Special uses in Class B1 District for murals at Jefferson Parking Deck and at 401 S.W. Water Street.
• A request from Urich and Cratty to receive and file the Consumer Price increase for 2025, as required annually by ordinance.

In regular business, Council:

• Accepted a $1,360,600 Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Taskforce Grant from Illinois Secretary of State and revised budget in this amount. Grant will be used for police salaries in efforts to decrease auto crimes, the third time city has received grant. Motor vehicle theft in area decreased 50% for 2024-25, with recovery increased by 13%.
• Accepted a $300,000 grant from Illinois Housing Department Authority (IDHA) for Home Repair and Accessibility Program Round 2 (HRAP2). Dulin discussed grant, which is eligible to homeowners in all parts of city, focused on keeping homes viable. Roof repairs, soffit and gutters are some of the allowable repairs.

New business items included;

• Budget planning for 2026, which has started with city staff, continues with council discussions in September and concludes with budget adoption in November.
• Discussion on increase in Ameren bills and city aggregation option with Homefield energy.

Councilors recognized positive response for Night out Against Crime with Peoria Police Department engaging neighborhood residents.

Dunlap District 323

The regular school board meeting was held July 16 with seven members present.

Superintendent Scott Dearman reported 38 FOIA requests since April. All but one have been fulfilled.

Construction of the new Athletic Center continues. Planning for new Wilder Waite building includes surveys and discussions of different design aspects with those involved in the school program.

The theme of the administrators’ July 29 retreat was “AI.”

The district will begin the four-month process of issuing bonds for Wilder Waite construction. There is ongoing discussion about the amount. Cost estimate for building is $36.5 million, with $1.5 million for inside items such as desks, etc. The suggested bond issue is between $40-42 million.

Any money left over could be used for other projects. Once bonds are issued for a certain amount the district cannot ask for more funds.

A member of the Scoreboard Club informed the board about installation of a new video scoreboard. There is no cost to the district since it is paid for by the club.

In other board action the 2026-2029 Dunlap Education Association teachers’ contract was approved, as were raises in administrators’ salaries. One board member said he was pleased, thanking the DEA and the teachers who are the “backbone” of the school program. Dearman recommended administrators’ raises be tied to the teachers’ union raises at 5.02% the first contract year, 4.83% second year and 4.59% the third year.

Springdale Cemetery

The Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met July 21 with two members absent — Terry Brink and Pam Johnson.

Authority members reviewed and accepted the 2024 financial audit conducted by CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP. No major irregularities were identified, resulting in a “clean” audit. Minor recommendations on internal controls were shared.

The remainder of the meeting was focused on the general manager’s report.

Highlights include:

• Burials in June surpassed June 2024 and the 10-year average for June.
• One-third of cemetery roads will be resurfaced by year’s end due to assistance from the City of Peoria, Peoria County and a state grant.
• More than $350,000 from the grant is still available for capital projects. Manager Aaron Comte was asked to bring forward a prioritized list of possible projects.
• The Norwood section near the mausoleum has been plotted and a per-lot price of $3,100 set.

Sanitary District

The Greater Peoria Sanitary District Investment Committee and Board of Trustees met June 17. GPSD continues to invest in CDs to benefit from market conditions. Auditors will be on-site in an annual planned activity. GPSD reports higher revenue than budgeted and lower expenses. Chemicals and electricity remain the highest cost for GPSD. Accounts receivable increased as expected in the summer but remain within plans.

GPSD reported progress on sewer maintenance and a significant number of projects, including the purchase of three trucks for $134,000 and a trailer-mounted pump for $86,500.

Ordinances were approved for industrial pretreatment and sewer use, annexation of 5.362 acres, eminent domain proceedings and $1,385,454 to J.C. Dillon, Inc. for the Koller Subdivision sewer extension.

LWVGP observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check https://www.lwvgp.org/2025-newsletters.html