McLean County Times

City of Lexington City Council met Oct. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Lexington City Council was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Mayor Spencer Johansen in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. 

Mayor Spencer Johansen led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Roll call was taken to find the following physically present: Mayor Spencer Johansen, Alderman Mattingly, Alderwoman Wilson, Alderman Little and Alderman Franklin. Alderman Stover and Alderman Richard were absent. Members of the staff and public present were: Kenneth Sowers. Peg Reynolds was attending remotely. 

It was moved by Alderman Mattingly and seconded by Alderman Little to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2024 regular session meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 

It was moved by Alderman Franklin and seconded by Alderwoman Wilson to approve the Treasurer’s Report and paying of the bills in the amount of $464,445.82. It was noted that this included $354,948.33 in IPA loan payments for water and sewer and a payment of $1,500 to Dan Leake for work on the old 66 gazebo that we were reimbursed for. Motion carried unanimously. 

Public Input: None 

Old Business: None 

New Business: 

Discussion/Vote Ordinance 2024-8: Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Lexington 

The governor has eliminated the 1% grocery tax and we are following several municipalities by adopting a grocery tax so we still have that money coming in. That amounts to about $15,000-$18,000 a year for the city. This ordinance replaces that tax and takes effect on January 1, 2026. 

Motion was made by Alderwoman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Little to approve Ordinance 2024-8: Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Lexington. Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion/Vote IWorQ Service Agreement 

This is software for the Compliance Officer for ordinance violations, etc. Officer Blair has had his hands full with Hilltop. This allows the council to sign in and see the updates to the code violations. 

It was felt that if we hire someone to do a job we need to give them the tools to do the job. 

Motion was made by Alderman Mattingly and seconded by Alderman Franklin to approve the IWorQ Service Agreement at a cost of $3,850.00. Motion carried unanimously. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Johansen reported on the following: 

Since the last report on Hilltop the state has been back out and did another inspection and none of the violations have been corrected since January. It took a couple of phone calls to get them out there. Now their fines have been doubled. He did not get an update today but they are making headway. 

He has had a couple of new businesses looking for spots in town. 

He has been out of the office quite a bit this past week. 

Police: Chief Edmiaston gave his September report: Arrests 1, Misdemeanor 0, Traffic Stops LXPD - 9, UTT’s - 4, Warnings - 5, Traffic Stops MCSP - 6, UTT’s - 1, Warnings - 5, Reports Taken - 7, LXPD - 5, MCSP - 2, Calls for Service - 82, LXPD - 56, MCSP/Other - 26, School Patrols (walk through/meetings/teaching/programs) - 15, Business Checks - 50, QR Code Checks - 61 

Assistant Chief Chambers conducted an audit of the BWC’s and in-car video system and no issues were noted. 

Building/Insurance Alderman Franklin reported that they have had no luck finding an auditor. With the legal requirements no one wants to do an audit or are not taking on new clients. 

Finance /TIF Mayor Johansen reported on the following: 

DaT Bar building is coming along well and they will be back in November to finish up. They should close on the parking lot by the end of the week. 

Public Works Mayor Johansen reported on the following: 

They have been cutting trees and have taken down the flower baskets on Main Street. The park looks nice. 

The concert from the Sunshine Shack was good. 

They are working with the Castle for an event maybe after Christmas on the Prairie. 

There being no further business, a motion was made by Alderman Mattingly to adjourn at 7:09 P.M. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

https://www.lexingtonil.gov/city-agenda-minutes