The Taylorville Park Board met on Monday, June 22nd, for their regular monthly meeting in the Manners Park Dining Hall. The board met to discuss issues that fall under both new and old business, and the park board’s maintenance superintendent, Ben Dempsey, and recreation director Evan Mitchell gave their regular monthly updates.

Under new business, the board heard issues from Jeb Odam and Mike Semerau. Odam spoke on the fields used for his baseball teams and said that some other amenities could be useful. Odam says he would like to put in a 7-foot-long, 12-foot-wide, and 12-foot-high batting cage that is backed by the American Legion.  According to Odam, some of the equipment and supplies needed to build this batting cage are already on site at Manners Park. A motion to allow Odam to build this batting cage was approved in full by all members of the park board with no objection. The estimated project completion date for the cages will be available by the end of July.

The meeting also heard from Taylorville Music Lessons owner Mike Semerau. Semerau wanted to address the park board about some complaints he received in regard to Taylorville Music Lessons. Semerau’s main concern was some text messages from former Recreation Director Jessica Franks. Semerau was also saying that he ran into some issues with the Christmas light display he had placed for the 2025 Christmas at the park. According to Semerau, the bigger problem was with the planning and logistics of the lighting of his Christmas display.

Also under New Business, the board discussed resolutions for the time allowed per guest, which now limits public speaking guests to a 5-minute speaking time unless otherwise authorized. Guest speakers from the public are expected to remain respectful and keep their issues on a professional level, and are required not to be repetitive. Public speakers may also be asked to leave a meeting should they become unable to follow those rules. According to the park board, the community will always have its chance to speak; it must follow guidelines in order to progress along with the regular meeting agenda.

Under Old Business, the board discussed updates on the tennis court, swimming pool, and the north pond. The board stated that there were ongoing talks with Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry in regard to the tennis courts, and also talks about the potential of the tennis courts being built behind the Taylorville High School baseball diamonds instead of on park grounds.

Regarding the pool updates. In-depth discussion was tabled to the next meeting; however, the park board mentioned that they have the construction team on standby, the funds in place, and are all completely ready to start the Manner’s Park Pool Project. According to the Taylorville Park Board, the reason why they are at a standstill with the pool is due to awaiting approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Towards the end of the meeting, the board heard from the Maintenance Superintendent Ben Dempsey and Recreation Director Evan Mitchell. The very last topic for discussion was the monthly approval of bill payments and the approval of the reports given.

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