Village of Dwight Board of Trustees Met Nov. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
PRESENT: Jared Anderson, Village President; Marla Kinkade Trustee; Jenny Johnson, Trustee; Jerry Curtis, Trustee; Randy Irvin, Trustee; Chuck Butterbrodt, Trustee; Justin Eggenberger, Trustee
Others in Attendance: Jill Haacke, Village Clerk; Irv Masching, Village Attorney; Austin Haacke, Finance Director; Tim Henson, Police Chief; Kevin McNamara, Village Administrator; Jenny Allsworth, EMS; Midge Fogarty, The Paper; Megann Halstead, WCSJ; Debra Karch, Dwight Economic Alliance; Gary Beier, Jill Mann.
According to Section 6 of the Executive Order specifically suspends, for the duration of the Gubernational Disaster Proclamation, the Open Meeting Act requirement that public officials be physically present at public meeting. Public bodies are “encouraged” to : (1) postpone consideration of public meetings whenever possible; (2) provide video, audio, and/or telephonic access to meetings to ensure member of the public can monitor the meetings; and (3) update their websites and social media to keep the public apprised of changes to their meeting and of activities related to COVID-19.
The Village Board Minutes November 9, 2020 were presented for approval. Trustee Irvin made a motion with a second from Trustee Johnson to approve the minutes as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Payment of the November 23, 2020 bills in the amount of $92,291.78 were presented for payment from the various funds. Trustee Curtis made a motion, with a second from Trustee Irvin to pay the bills as submitted. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
Trustee Curtis made a motion with a second from Trustee Irvin to approve the October 2020 Treasurer’s report as presented. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
PUBLIC FORUM
Jill Mann, Dwight, IL. was present regarding the temporary December closure of Lion’s Lake for geese hunting. She had a few questions for the board regarding safety and overpopulation of the lake. Mayor Anderson noted that anyone who is planning on hunting must sign up at the Village.
VILLAGE REPORTS
Mayor Anderson noted that there has been a spike in COVID cases in Dwight the past couple weeks. He sent a letter out to bar and restaurant owners to follow the Tier 3 guidelines set by the state. Anderson also informed the board that he will not be seeking re-election as Village President in the April consolidated election.
Administrator Kevin McNamara reported that the Village Hall is locked to the general public. Individuals can pay online, use the drop box or make an appointment. He also noted that the Cures Act money the Village requested has been approved and submitted for payment to the Il Comptroller’s office and is expected soon.
Jenny Allsworth updated that the EMS department is staying cautious and working to stay safe during the COVID uptick in the area.
Chief Henson reported that the PD is back to full staff. He wanted to remind all the downtown residents and patrons that the parking restrictions will begin December 1st.
Deb Karch from the Dwight Economic Alliance reminded that any taxing district that wants to apply for grant funding need to apply by December 1st. She noted that the Dwight Fire Department and Prairie Creek Library have submitted applications and will be receiving a grant from the Cares Act.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
McNamara noted that the tentative projected assessed valuation for 2020 is $76,588,697, which is an estimated 7.6393% increase over 2019. To avoid a Truth in Taxation hearing, he informed the board they can raise the levy up to 5%, which amounts to a $43,300 increase, and the rate would be approximately $1.19. If the board would like to keep the tax rate the same as last year, $1.22; the levy would need to increase the estimated 7.6393%, which is estimated to be $66,195. He reminded the board the numbers are estimated until all appeals are addressed, and the two Counties provide the final EAV.
He also noted that the board must look at the future with everything that is happening with LSC and how they will affect the General funds and Village utilities. Both internal and external job fairs at LSC have gone very well. Even through the Treasurers’ report looks good now, property taxes have just been received and it will drain in the future months.
Finance Director Haacke also noted that the Village now has the additional FICA and Medicare to cover for the EMS department. Liability insurance is also increasing in the next year. With other taxing bodies in the Village dropping their tax rate, he has noted that TIF funds have also been coming in under budget.
McNamara and A. Haacke are seeking guidance from the board on how to proceed with the tax levy. After discussion, most of the board members agreed to lean more toward the 4.99% increase in the tax levy and instructed them to prepare the tax levy accordingly.
Clerk Haacke presented the board with the following dates for the village board meetings in 2021. Meetings begin at 6:30 pm.
January 11th & 25th
November 23, 2020
February 8th & 22nd
March 8th & 22nd
April 12th & 26th
May 10th & 24th
June 14th & 28th
July 12th & 26th
August 9th & 23rd
September 13th & 27th
October 12th & 25th
November 8th & 22nd
December 13th
Trustee Irvin made a motion with a second by Trustee Eggenberger at approve the Village Board meeting dates as presented by Clerk Haacke and recommended by the committee. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
Clerk Haacke presented the dates for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission Meetings for 2021 as follows.
January 19th
February 16th
March 16th
April 20th
May 18th
June 15th
July 20th
August 17th
September 21st
October 19th
November 16th
December 21st
Trustee Kinkade made a motion with a second by Trustee Butterbrodt at approve the Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission meeting dates as presented by Clerk Haacke and recommended by the committee. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries.
Trustee Kinkade made a motion with a second from Trustee Irvin to approve a $50 DEA gift card for the Village employees and Village commission members. Roll call. All voted aye.
Finding no further business, President Anderson asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Kinkade with a second by Trustee Irvin. Roll call. All voted aye. Motion carries. The meeting adjourned at 7:20PM.
http://www.dwightillinois.org/Board%20Minutes/2020/VBM-20-11-23.pdf
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