The Taylorville City Council met on Monday evening and cannabis was the big discussion of the evening.  No one has come forward saying they want to build a dispensary in Taylorville, and there are no plans for building one in the future, but with nearby cities including Pana voting on it, it was on the agenda this evening to be discussed. After a public hearing was held, the planning commission reported to the board that they had voted against recommending the allowance of an adult use cannabis dispensing organization. Since the planning commission voted against adding one, the board would need a 2/3rds vote to pass the ordinance. 

Many Alderman and Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry said that it was a money thing and if it came back that the city wasn’t getting the money that was projected, this would be addressed in the future. Alderman Chris Skultety, who voted no on the ordinance, felt that the projections for Taylorville for cannabis were higher than what they should be.

Alderman Skultety and Alderman Kathy Driskell (who voted no) called it a slippery slope. Mayor Barry said he wasn’t elected to legislate morality and that it started from home. Alderman Skultety says 

Mayor Barry says he would have never legalized marijuana but he says that marijuana may be whats best for Taylorville when it comes to cash flow. Mayor Barry says he doesn’t feel Taylorville will get an establishment, but he feels we have to leave that door open. Alderman Jim Olive who voted yes on the ordinance says that the talk of marijuana is not new, nor is it just a local conversation.

Both cannabis motions passed with Aldermen Megan Bryant, Larry Budd, Jim Olive, Doug Wilson, Jeremy Brown and Mayor Barry all voting yes. Aldermen Steve Dorchinecz, Kathy Driskell, and Chris Skultety voting no. 

In other board news, Taylorville High School Wrestling Athlete Gage Rusher was praised as youth of the month.  The board approved a special events permit for the Taylorville Blackhorse Veterans for May 27th and 28th. The board received clarification on the ARPA funds for the employee retention bonus. The board approved new computers for the Taylorville squad cars.  The Mayor also gave his updates including a thank you for the support of the Skateboard park.

To hear the complete audio from this entire meeting, see below.

The next city council meeting is set for June 6th.