Finance Legal & Audit Committee

City of Watseka 201 Brianna Dr PO Box 338 Watseka Il 60970 Finance, Legal & Audit Committee Meeting March 16, 2026 6:30 pm Present: Aldermen Muench, Miller, Petersen, Pence, Dewitt, Brault, Alderwoman Rohlfs and Mayor Marcier ABSENT: Alderman Garfield Mayor Marcier opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. There was no public comment. Sara Tanner with Paradise Sweets & Eats LLC did not attend the meeting so this will be tabled for now. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the Council to accept the February Treasurers report and Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Mayor Marcier stated the park fund is still waiting on funds for reimbursement from the OSLAD grant. 911 Dispatch fees were discussed next. Mayor Marcier and Alderman Miller met with 2 members of the county board. The county board said the city had no increase for a couple of years, which is the reason for the large increase in fees. Currently the city pays $126,000. ICOM was wanting for the next 3 years-15%-$145,000-10% - $159,500 and 10%-$175,450. Mayor Marcier suggested 10% each year, year 1-$138,600, year 2-$152,460 and year 3- $167,706. The discussion continued about who pays and how much. Mayor Marcier stated the fee schedule is based on call volume not population. It was stated the city should have more representatives on the ETSB board, currently Deputy Chief Mark Harris is the only one on that board representing the city. This will be discussed more in the upcoming meetings Mayor Marcier stated Building Inspector Eric Brandt will be retiring October 2nd. The committee has a list of his current duties, Mayor Marcier asked the committee if it was ok to start advertising for a job opening. The committee is ok with this. Mayor Marcier stated the Watseka Chamber moving into the Depot is put on hold for now because they are currently under a contract with the Park District until 2028. Mayor Marcier stated the committee has before them a statement of work from CliftonLarsonAllen pertaining to the OSLAD grant. This agreement needs to be signed in order to get an audit done on the grant. Alderman Brault makes a motion to recommend to the council to accept the statement of work from CliftonLarsonAllen for the OSLAD grant and Alderman Miller seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. Mayor Marcier stated everyone has a copy of proposed Ordinance #2783 regarding remote attendance at meetings. Attorney Cainkar stated this needs to be updated and will be on the council agenda next week. Mayor Marcier reported the city has received a letter from the Illinois Housing Authority regarding the multifamily housing on Elm St. This is just another step in the application process. The units, however went from 50 to 45 because of finances on the Laborers Home Development end, the buildings have been reduced by 1. Mayor Marcier stated the only money spent on this has been the purchase of the land. Mayor Marcier also reported that the downtown area is now on the Historical Registry list. He is still learning about the benefits for the city being on this list. Alderwoman Rohlfs is asking for a $2,000 donation for the Watseka Farmers Market. The market has been holding a winter market once a month and the summer market will start up in June. They are planning on having music every weekend this summer and doing more themed days. The money donated is for the rent, music, and extra theme days and she stated she would like to pay Angelina for all of her time. Alderman Petersen asked if she could provide a list of expenses to the city, so they know exactly where the money is being spent. Alderwoman Rohlfs said that’s no problem at all. Alderwoman Rohlfs stated the market is growing every weekend. They are averaging about 75-100 people and more attended when the shuck fest was held. Alderman Miller stated the city has the depot now and if they needed more space outside maybe she could consider using that area also. This donation will be put on the agenda for next week. Alderman Miller makes a motion to adjourn at 7:08 pm and Alderman Brault seconded. Roll call carried 8-0. ___________________________________ Benny Marcier, Chairman