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City Council Discusses Unpaid Water Bill by State Prison; Engineering Service Agreements Discussed

The Taylorville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday night. Alderman Larry Budd was absent. During the City Attorney updates provided by Rocci Romano, Alderman Rob Heberling said the Taylorville Correctional Center on Route 29 is seven months behind in their water bill, and owes the City over a quarter of a million dollars.

Heberling questioned why they compel the citizens of Taylorville to continue paying their water, when they allow the Prison to not pay their bill. Romano stated the City has the legal right to shut off their water and treat them like residents. Aldermen Shawn Burtle questioned why the City is not applying a 1% late fee, while Councilman Earl Walters says if the State doesn’t send a check, there could be the heavy consequence of their water being shut off.  

Mayor Greg Brotherton told Regional Radio News following the meeting that he understands the aldermen’s frustration and there is the possibility of discussing this issue in the future if the State doesn’t pay their bill quickly.

Following the lengthy discussion, Mayor Brotherton provided a short update, followed by Committee Reports.

 

In other Taylorville City Council action, the Council tabled a motion to earmark approximately $5,000 per month for 20 years from the Sewer Use fees for funding the completion of the Phase 5 Kenton Addition. A motion was approved to retain Hart, Southworth & Witsman as Bond Counsel to administer the IEPA Loan for the 30 foot Northeast Sanitary Sewer Project and the Phase 5 Kenton Addition Project. However, when the motion came up to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Engineering Service Agreements with Greene & Bradford, Inc. for the 30 foot Northeast Sanitary Sewer Project and Phase 5 Keaton Addition, Alderman Shawn Burtle had concerns over racking up charges for the project.

 

Following a lengthy discussion from the other aldermen and two tabled motions on the agenda, it finally passed by a vote of 5-2. Mayor Brotherton stated that Bond Counsel will look over the numbers to verify that if the City has to take out loans that they have the revenue to repay them.

 

In other Taylorville City Council action, a motion was approved by a vote of 4-3 for a motion to accept the proposed non-bargaining salaries as presented. Another motion was approved for the Crappie regulations for Lake Taylorville to take effect April 1, 2017 which includes Black, White, or Hybrid Crappie that is less than ten inches, ten per day, and Crappie that is ten inches or longer, ten per day. This is due to State Biologist Mike Mounce’s study that the population does not match the current fishing limits. Another motion was passed to approve the Debt Authorization Ordinance for the New Water Plant in the amount not to exceed $33 million dollars. The Council approved the payment of bills totaling some $222,000 and the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. 

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