City Council
Aug 17, 2026
The lede
- Expenditures Approved: $1,976,030.91 for General & Special Funds and $1,592,343.99 for Water & Sewer Fund approved unanimously.
- Ordinances Passed: Ordinance #779H (electric utility tax on self-generated electricity) and Ordinance #780H (FY 2027 Budget revision for new full-time building inspector position) both passed 8-0.
- New Business: Ordinances #781H (catering liquor license amendments) and #782H (special use for indoor commercial entertainment at 707 Logan Avenue / 7-Eleven) placed on file for first reading.
- Equipment Purchases: Council approved purchase of two Ford F-550 dump trucks ($87,389 and $122,555), tractor repairs ($17,625.68), and Bobcat attachments ($7,700 and $10,100).
Decisions & votes
Passed Ordinances (2nd Reading):
- Ord. #779H (Electric Utility Tax Amendment): Passed 8-0. Creates new tax on electricity not purchased at retail (self-generated electricity) with tiered rates starting at 0.543 cents per kilowatt-hour for first 2,000 kWh down to 0.267 cents for usage over 20,000,000 kWh. Tax due monthly by the 15th. Violations subject to $200+ fine per day.
- Ord. #780H (Budget Revision): Passed 8-0. Eliminates part-time Building Inspector position and creates full-time Assistant Building Inspector/Plans Examiner position with salary up to amount in revised budget.
New Ordinances (1st Reading):
- Ord. #781H: Amends liquor license catering endorsement to allow alcohol service without food catering requirement; clarifies outdoor alcohol sales. (First reading only)
- Ord. #782H: Special use permit for 7-Eleven at 707 Logan Avenue to add video gaming and on-site alcohol consumption (approximately 100 sq ft gaming area, 6 machines, 4-foot barrier required, hours limited to 6am-11pm). Planning & Zoning recommended approval 6-1. (First reading only)
Equipment/Contract Approvals (all 8-0):
- 2024 Ford F-550 dump truck from Sarchione Ford: $87,389.00 (Water Depreciation Account)
- 2025 Ford F-550 dump truck from Apple Ford Lincoln: $122,555.00 (Capital Funds)
- New Holland T4.75 Tractor repair by R-Equipment: $17,625.68 (Capital Funds)
- 84” rock bucket with grapple from Bobcat of Rockford: $7,700.00 (Capital Funds)
- 84” hydraulic angle broom from Bobcat of Rockford: $10,100.00 (Capital Funds)
- Pipeline Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad: $20,000.00 (Capital Funds, project #0810467)
Other Approvals:
- Authorization to hire full-time building inspector ($68,000-$78,000 salary range): Approved 8-0
- Rescheduled Buchanan Street Strolls from July 31 to September 5, 2026: Approved 8-0
- Expenditures: Both General/Special Fund and Water/Sewer Fund expenditures approved 8-0
Absent: Aldermen Fleury and Montalbano
Discussion items
Public Comment:
- Jennifer Cover (810 Foley Rd.) raised concerns about condition of bike paths.
7-Eleven Gaming License (Ord. #782H):
- Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing discussion included:
- Questions about alcohol service format (packaged only, no mixed drinks)
- Concerns from neighboring residents (Lori Heiser, 610 Warren Ave.; Denise Alfaro, 820 Logan Ave.) about:
- Intoxicated individuals in area leaving garbage on residential properties
- Children frequenting the 7-Eleven
- On-site consumption potentially worsening existing problems
- Clarification that 18 gaming facilities approved within ½ mile (9 operating, 4 closed, 5 never opened)
- Discussion about whether saturation of gaming establishments could be grounds for denial
- Commission questioned applicant about store hours (24/7 operations vs. 11pm gaming/alcohol cutoff)
- Distinction between special use approval and state license requirement clarified
Building Inspector Position (Unfinished Business):
- Discussion noted position changed from part-time to full-time with salary range $68,000-$78,000 depending on qualifications
Dump Truck Purchase:
- Discussion regarding delivery/transportation fees for the Sarchione Ford truck purchase
Committee Reports:
- Ida Public Library update presented by Director Mindy Long
Financial / operational notes
Monthly Reports Filed:
- Police Department Overtime Pay (July 2026)
- Fire Department Overtime Pay (July 2026)
- Community Development/Planning Department (July 2026)
- Building Department Revenues, Residential/Commercial Permits, Case Reports (July 2026)
- Financial Report (July 2026)
- General Fund Report (July 2026)
- Water/Sewer Report (July 2026)
- No Donation Report for July 2026
Financial Highlights from Monthly Reports:
- Building Department July 2026: 50 permits issued, $138,700 in fees collected, construction valuation $11,609,073
- General Fund through July 2026: Revenues $9,193,114 (36% of budget), Expenses $4,996,324 (14% of budget)
- Water/Sewer Fund: Cash flow statements show capital improvement projects ongoing including Well 11 Facility Construction ($965,611), WWTP improvements, and infrastructure projects
Budget Revisions (Ord. #780H):
- Eliminates Building Inspector PT salary
- Establishes new Assistant Building Inspector/Plans Examiner full-time position
- Budget & Finance Officer adjusting remainder of FY2027 budget for increased salaries and benefits in Building Department
Capital Project Funding:
- Multiple equipment purchases totaling approximately $224,969.68 from Capital Funds and Water Depreciation Account
- 5th Avenue Storm Sewer project: $20,000 railroad crossing agreement
- Various departmental capital asset purchases in process
Tax Revenue Implementation:
- New electric utility tax structure for self-generated electricity creates tiered rate system with tax due monthly by 15th of following month
- Non-compliance subject to minimum $200 fine plus court costs per day, plus potential business license suspension/revocation