A recent decision at a Taylorville City Council meeting will put updates at Lake Taylorville on the back burner as Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry is concerned over needs, wants, and overall development in the community. The OSLAD grant was for $610,000 to be matched at 50% by the City of Taylorville. If the motion had passed, $305,000 would have been used for pickleball courts, kayak rentals, fishing piers, and other upkeep at Lake Taylorville.

Mayor Barry says this is the first time he has vetoed a motion in seven years and does not take such actions lightly. It was the possibility of needing that large sum of money in the future that caused Mayor Barry to make the decision.

Taylorville will lose the 1% grocery tax as of January 1st, 2026, another contributing factor that kept the mayor from supporting the motion. Mayor Barry says he understands and sees the rising popularity of pickleball but projects like road replacement and pavement, curbs, and infrastructure come first.

For more information visit taylorville.net.

Taylorville mayor Bruce Barry appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.