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Nokomis City Council Addresses Budget, Water Main Project, and Business Reopening

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Nokomis City Council met on May 26 to discuss various municipal issues, including the 2021 budget, the Water Main Project, and the reopening of businesses under the state's Covid-19 phases. Commissioner Lou Stauder raised questions about the 2021 budget, which the council will review and address in a future meeting. The council also discussed the Water Main Project, considering options for funding, including grants and loans from entities such as SDA Rural Development and the IPA Loan Program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city's water and waste water departments have a combined total of $286,467 in certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts, which are intended to ensure the departments' self-sufficiency and provide a reserve for emergency situations.
  • The council is considering funding options for the Water Main Project, including grants and loans from the SDA Rural Development, General Obligation Bonds, CDAP, Rebuild Illinois, and the IPA Loan Program.
  • Andy Hanfland from the Farnsworth Group recommended raising water rates to cover current losses and the cost of the loan, which could increase water rates by $5 per month per meter.
  • The council approved waiving the $100 yearly fee for a Beer Garden for The Town Pump Bowl and Bernardini Hotel, and will refund the yearly fee already paid by Bernardini's.
  • Business district funds were discussed as a potential relief for local businesses, which could be modeled after the program used by Taylorville.
  • The council approved the payment of bills for $91,310.24, including revenues from various sources such as the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Motor Fuel Tax Fund.
  • The council discussed the sewage backup at North School, with recommendations for an infiltration study to determine the source of the problem and the potential implementation of lining the sewer lines instead of building a new waste water plant.
  • The city has approved two building permits and two business improvement grants, and has requested a lease proposal for parking spots at 112 West State Street.

Statistics:

  • The city's water and waste water departments have $171,400 in CDs and $6,100 in savings accounts, and $115,667 in CDs and $13,300 in savings accounts, respectively.
  • The cost of lining each 7,000 feet of sewer line would be approximately $204,000.
  • The city collected revenues of $2,274.84 in Illinois Department of Revenue Personal Property Replacement Tax, $106.30 in Illinois Department of Revenue Local Share of Cannabis Use Tax, $688.51 in Illinois Department of Revenue Local Share of Video Gaming Tax, $2,120.86 in Illinois Department of Revenue Telecommunication Tax, $8,501.93 in Illinois Department of Revenue Business District Tax, $17,136.58 in Illinois Department of Revenue Municipal 1% Share of Sales Tax, $22,745.08 in Illinois Department of Revenue Local Share of Income Tax, $5,607.95 in Illinois Department of Revenue Local Share of State Use Tax, $972.41 in City Maintenance of State Highways within the city of Nokomis, $4,007.52 in Motor Fuel Tax Fund Allotment, and $2,693.48 in MFT Transportation Renewal Fund Allotment.
  • The Rebuild Illinois Installment totaled $24,779.88.

Sources:

  • The Nokomis City Council meeting minutes for May 26
  • The Farnsworth Group
  • Illinois Department of Revenue
  • Motor Fuel Tax Fund
  • Rebuild Illinois Installment
  • Taylorville business district fund
  • The Town Pump Bowl
  • Bernardini Hotel
  • New To You
  • Frank Steele
  • TAE Properties
  • City of Nokomis building permits
  • City of Nokomis business improvement grants

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