McLean County Times

City of Red Bud Finance Committee met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present: Rodney Nevois, Ben Schwartzkopf, Mike Rheinecker, Bill Hanebutt, Alan Piel

Committee Members Absent: None

Council Members Present: Curt Guebert, Jeremy DeMond, Kyle Donjon

Council Members Absent: None

Others Present: Mayor Susan Harbaugh, Attorney Rebecca Cooper, City Superintendent Josh Eckart, Code Adm./City Engineer Jeff Mueller, Police Chief John Brittingham, Finance Officer Liz Cowell, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Others Absent: Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf Pledge of Allegiance

Committee Chairman Nevois called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Old Business

None

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – February 17, 2025 Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to approve the minutes from the February 17, 2025, meeting. Carried

II. CD Information

A. Maturing CDs

The next CDs will mature on May 16, 2025.

III. Financial Dashboard

Chairman Nevois reviewed the financial summary. The budget is at 83% of the fiscal year, the revenue is $298,164 over the budget, while expenses are $3,620,988 below the budget.

IV. FY2026 Budget and Capital Plans

Liz Cowell explained the FY’26 proposed budget packet.

Mayor Harbaugh initiated a discussion suggesting a collaboration between the city, hospital, YMCA, and SWIC to coordinate services for seniors, led by a volunteer coordinator. There is $10,000 in the proposed budget for seed money.

Affordable housing incentives and what other communities are offering, were discussed. $100,000 seed money in the proposed budget for this.

Josh Eckart will keep the committee informed of some adjustments that he will be making to his budget.

The proposed budget will be further discussed next month, giving everyone time to review and ask any questions.

V. Illinois Country Harvest Proposal – City Hall Planters

A. Spring – Approval of Option 1 or Option 2

With the city hall repairs and window replacement, the planters will have to be moved, therefore the spring planters will not be done at this time.

Committee Member Hanebutt noted that the planters need cleaning up and repainting. Mayor Harbaugh suggested that Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf be given the authority to manage the planters with a $2,000 yearly budget.

B. Fall

C. Winter

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval to forgo the spring planting at this time and approve the fall planter at $450 and the winter planter at $485 and add a line-item budget, NTE $2,000 a year and authorize the Administrative Officer to manage it. Carried

VI. Fort de Chartres Rendezvous Request – Event Booklet Advertisement Sponsorship

Recommendation made by Committee Member Rheinecker, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to authorize approval to purchase a $500 ½ page advertisement for the Fort de Chartres Rendezvous booklet and work with the Chamber of Commerce to design the ad. Carried

VII. Red Bud Fire Department Request – Approval of Truck Purchase

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to authorize approval of the Red Bud Fire Department proposal to proceed with the purchase of a 2025 F150 Crew Cab Truck from Ed Morse Ford, NTE $63,000. The truck will be titled 50%/50% between the City of Red Bud and the Red Bud Community Fire Company (Rural). Carried

VIII. Public Comments/Anything for the Good of the City

None

The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/finance_031725.pdf