City Council

April 15, 2025 Minutes of the Budget Hearing of the City Council, City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically, Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:45 p.m. Commissioner Wise, presiding. On roll call Commissioners Buchanan and Ballenger were present. Commissioner Wise turned the meeting over to Kamren Wilford, Deputy Treasurer, to give an overview of the capital and operating budget for fiscal year 2026. Wilford explained the general fund revenues have increased over the last several years with the largest increases being sales tax and income tax. General fund expenses are budgeted at approximately $2 million higher than the average. This is due to some large inflationary increases in operating expenses as well as some large capital items, including an elevator upgrade, the carryover of a major upgrade to one of our larger parks, 2 new squad cars, as well as several large capital projects in the street department. This budget projects that we will dip into our reserves by approximately $750,000.00. The fiscal year 26 projected reserve balance in the General fund would be about 14 months of operating and capital expenses. The Water budget includes a 5% increase, and the Sewer budget includes a 3% increase to their respective portions of the water bill. This equates to a $1.20 increase in the overall minimum monthly bill. Wilford went on to explain the Self-Funded Health Insurance fund continued with another fairly healthy year. Prescription costs have grown significantly in recent years and the insurance committee is reviewing the cause and potential solutions with the TPA on this. There will again be no increase in rates to the departments or employees in fiscal year 26. There have been no premium increases since fiscal year 16. Our 3 pension funds are in very healthy positions. IMRF is currently 96.25% funded as of 12/31/23. Police pension as of 4/30/24 was 95.68% funded on an actuarial basis and 90.97% funded on a market basis. Fire pension as of 4/30/24 was 140.72% funded on an actuarial basis and 137.00% funded on a market basis. . Wise invited Warner Hospital CEO Paul Skowron and Tom Hankins to present their budget to council, Skowron projected 5% revenue higher than last year. 43.8 million, bottom line 892,000.00 positive. Skowron calls this a conservative budget, in the past he has always kept it conservative and always exceeded it. This year Skowron is concerned about being conservative because of some legislative changes coming from Washington, Medicaid cuts are unknown. They are factoring in cuts but hoping they don’t happen. Skowron said some oddball things could happen like subsidies in pharmaceuticals they cannot budget for. Staying conservative with a positive bottom line for this coming fiscal year. On the capital budget basis, last year he talked about bigger ticket items, unless repairs and replacements are needed. This year it’s going to be more necessary repair and replace the aging plant and equipment as well as some smaller items that still involve renovation to enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Skowron asked Hankins to speak about the capital. Hankins said the capital budget will be less robust this year. They are finishing up the west entrance project, due to some material delays. They are hoping to open in within the next 30 days. Hankins mentioned the chiller being a carryover item. This upcoming year under capital they will have the tunnel water mitigation project. There has been water intrusion for some time. They have tried water mitigation efforts through the years. Overall, with talking with contractors, the best thing to do is to rebuild the tunnel and build it from the ground up. There are some life safety items, related to capital, such as the fire alarm system, they are taking a proactive approach at replacing some HVAC equipment in some of the outbuildings. The council thanked Skowron and Hankins for their time. Wise asked if anyone wanted to talk about the budget or had comments, no one came forward. Motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the Budget Hearing. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Respectfully submitted, Kamren Wilford City Clerk  April 15, 2025 Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Clinton, Illinois in session in the Council Chambers of City Hall and electronically, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Wise, presiding. On roll call, Commissioners Ballenger and Buchanan were present. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Robert Kreitler cam before council regarding warning tickets issued by the Code Enforcement officers Woliung and Crisman. Kreitler explained he was zoned highway business. Kreitler felt he didn’t fall under operating a business under his house. Kreitler went through the city codes as it pertains to the warnings he received and didn’t understand why he was being cited. Kreitler thanked the council. Wise thanked Kreitler, told Kreitler they would look into this. Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger that the minutes of the regular meeting of April 1, 2025 be approved as submitted. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” The bills and payroll were read. Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan that the bills and payroll be allowed as read and the Clerk be instructed to issue warrants on the Treasurer for the several amounts. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan “Yes.” PETITIONS John Baker from the Tree City Commission, presented the awards to the Arbor Day Poster winners, which were The Arbor Day Celebration will be Saturday, April 26th at 9:30 a.m. in the Arboretum located on Taylor St. Commissioner Wise read an Arbor Day proclamation. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to reappoint William Monson to the Planning Commission for a three year term. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Wise and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to reappoint Jim Brady to the Planning Commission for a three-year term. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Wise to reappoint Taylor Quinn to Tree City Commission for a three-year term On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger, Buchanan and Acting Mayor Edmunds voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to appoint Annette McMath to the Tree City Commission for a three-year term. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Commissioner Buchanan had no report. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC PROPERTY Commissioner Wise reported they are still waiting for the lime silo equipment arrival, which keeps getting postponed. Wise said eh will make sure the public is notified once the upgrades are happening as there will be changes in the water. With the weather getting nicer, Wise foresees hydrant flushing beginning. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY Commissioner Ballenger reported there has been a resident complaint about the new playground equipment being stored at the street department. Ballenger stated it will be there until installation. He expects an update next week on the installation timeframe. Ballenger said the fire department has been busy. Ballenger aske Chief Lowers if he had anything. Lowers stated the police department has been busy as well. The police department will see some personnel changes in the next few weeks, with a departure and two new officers coming in as well as a civilian code compliance officer. Lowers explained they have had some reporting system failure, Crimestoppers has stepped up to pay over $8,000.00 to update this system in full. Lowers expressed his gratitude for Crimestoppers help. REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTS & FINANCES Department of Accounts & Finances had no report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adopt Ordinance #1621, An Ordinance Adopting Budget (FY 2026). On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve a yearly raffle license for the DeWitt County Pheasants Forever #268. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to resolution 2025-4, a resolution authorizing the execution of contract between the City of Clinton and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local Union No. 137. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded Commissioner Wise to approve the Letter of Understanding from the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union No. 137. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approver the server upgrade for the Police Department with Heart Technologies, not to exceed $20,000.00. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Written motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to approve the managed IT Service (City as a whole) contract with Heart Technologies. On roll call vote, Commissioners Ballenger, Buchanan and Wise voted “Yes.” NEW BUSINESS On File – K9 unit, equipment and training– Police Department – not to exceed $5,000.00 On File – CAT 575-0496 Thumb, Hydraulic, 5-6T – Sewer Department - $3,728 On File – Water Tower Cleaning Proposals – Viking Industrial Painting $8,850.00, Maguire Water $12,600.00 On File – Resolution Accepting Offer to Purchase Lots 11, 12, 13 – Josh Roy - $80,000.00 On File - Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 of Title 7 (Water Rates) & Chapter 9 of Title 7 (Sewer Rates) Written motion was made by Commissioner Buchanan and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger to approve the single event raffle license for the Vault. On roll call vote, Commissioners Buchanan, Wise and Ballenger voted “Yes.” ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, a motion was made by Commissioner Ballenger and seconded by Commissioner Buchanan to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, Commissioners Wise, Ballenger and Buchanan voted “Yes.” Respectfully Submitted, Kamren Wilford City Clerk