The Carmi City Council held the regular monthly council meeting in City Hall on June 18, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Alderperson present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, and Sheila Headlee. Absent: Jeremy Courson.
The minutes from the June 4, 2024 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The May 2024 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the Financial Reports with a second by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The vendor invoices for June 2024 were presented for authorization and approval for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the vendor invoices for June 2024 with a second by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Botsch and Associates Auditor and co-owner, Arlynne Davis, presented the Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditor’s Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Below is a synopsis of the report:
· The purpose of the audit is to determine the amount of risks the City of Carmi/Light and Water has based on information collected and reviewed during the audit.
· Three significant deficiencies were noted: The City does not follow all policies in place and lacks a written accounting policy and procedure manual. Procedures are not in place to determine the utility payments are being posted properly (both the auditor and office staff have been working with the software company to find out why). Certain City funds have expenditures in excess of appropriations.
· Revenue for 2023 was $5,053,372 compared to budgeted expectation of $4,737,174.
· Expenses for 2023 totaled $6,137,253 compared to a budget of $4,961,350 leaving a shortfall of more than a million dollars.
· Insurance increased in 2023.
· The other over budgeted areas need to be reviewed.
City Clerk Attebury and City Administrator, Holly Healy, will be working with Botsch and Associates to establish accounting policies/practices which are acceptable for the audit. With no questions, Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditor’s Report. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion passed on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
a) Resolution 06.18.24; A resolution renewing the employee safety incentive program for the period of April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. City Clerk Attebury said the safety incentive
will be moved to coincide with the calendar year. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve Resolution 06.18.24; A resolution renewing the safety incentive program. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
b) Reappointment of Ron Wooten and Ellen Legg to the Carmi Public Library Board with the term beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the appointment of Wooten and Legg to the Library Board. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c) Ordinance 1624 – A; An ordinance annexing territory into the City of Carmi – Parcel 13-23-19-014. Mayor Pollard stated this was the Casey’s Convenient Store location that had never been annexed into the City when it was built. Casey’s petitioned the City to be annexed into the city limits in order to be allowed to continue the sell liquor. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance 1624-A. Alderperson Bradshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d) Approval of TIF invoice: Southern Illinois Title in the amount of $300.00 (paid from TIF 2). Alderperson Blake made a motion to approve the Southern Illinois Title invoice in the amount of $300.00. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e) Approval of TIF invoice: White County Clerk and Recorder in the amount of $80.00 for easement filing for the Rosebud Water Project (Paid from TIF 2). Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the invoice to White County Clerk and Recorder in the amount of $80.00 payable from TIF 2. Alderperson Blake seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
f) Resolution 06.18.24 – A; A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter agreement for the activity, delivery and grant administration (Grant is for the Sycamore Street Service Area Water Main Replacement). Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
None
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Business or Comments from Visitors
WROY/WRUL News reporter asked if everyone had received a letter that he was carbon copied on. Mayor Pollard stated he had received the letter but was not ready to discuss the letter as it was not put on the agenda nor was it signed. Mayor Pollard said he would be releasing a press release regarding the letter in the upcoming days.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:15 p.m. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
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Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
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Jeff Pollard, Mayor
