Sangamon Sun

Village of Jerome Board of Trustees met Jan. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER: The President and the Board of Trustees held the regular scheduled meeting at the Jerome Civic Center, 2901 Leonard Street, Jerome, Illinois via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by

President Lopez, followed by Roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL: The following were present:

` Mike Lopez, Village President

Kathy DeHart, Trustee of Public Property & Co Trustee Public Health

Leigh Irons, Trustee of Public Safety

Ralph Irons, Trustee of Water Department

Christina Smith, Co-Trustee of Public Health

Dale Lael, Trustee of Building & Zoning

Phil Raftis, Trustee of Public Works

Also Present:

Lisa Cave, Village Clerk

Jason Brokaw, Attorney, Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes, P.C.,

Steve Roth, Village Treasurer

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: President Lopez asked whether the Board had reviewed the January 6, 2022, Minutes and if they found need for any changes, corrections, or amendments. President Lopez asked the January 6, 2022, minutes would stand approved as amended.

Motion to approve the January 6, 2022, Meeting Minutes as amended by: Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE,

MOTION PASSES.

APPROVAL TO PAY BILLS: President Lopez asked whether the board had reviewed Warrant List 22-18 dated January 20, 2022, totaling $32,869.96. Treasurer Roth added that of this amount $10,397.97 will be paid from the General Revenue Fund, $22,338.14 will be paid from the Water Fund, $133.85 will be paid from the 1% Fund.

President Lopez asked for a motion to approve Warrant List 22-18 as presented. Motion to Approve the Bills to be Paid as presented by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

TREASURER REPORTS: Treasurer Roth presented to the Board of Trustees the Financial Status as of January 20, 2022, via email. Revenues: I as happy to report that at this point in the fiscal year we have a lot of good news. All of you have received the financials and have seen the surplus we have established in our General Fund. Understand a big part of that is the money not spent from Police due to loss of officers which we are seeking to fill. However, as you review the financials, we are on track to match the type of revenues we received prior to 2019 in Sales Tax, NHR 1%, Income Tax, MFT, Personal Property Replacement Tax, and Gaming Revenue. That is really good news for the long-term stability of our operations and the financial health of the Village. However, please continue to monitor your accounts and keep our monthly expenditures within budgeted amounts, as of the month of December’s financials your line items should not exceed 66.67%. Funds: There are approximately $794,516.87 in the Illinois Funds GRF account and $109,197.10 in the MFT funds. There is approximately $28,532.23 in the INB GRF account and $202,504.99 in the INB Water account. The other bank account balances are as follows: Law Enforcement - DUI – $280.00; Law Enforcement – Vehicle - $707.43; 1% NHR - $431,601.90 (with January revenue included); Road & Bridge - $18,991.94; Police Equipment Fund - $3,039.83, Cannabis Fund - $3,093.53 (with the January revenue included); MFT-Rebuild Illinois fund – $72,757.96; American Rescue Funds - $108,115.11. Budget worksheets will be sent to you before the next Board meeting. I will be sending out an e-mail to set up meetings to start the budget process.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

President Lopez opened the Visitors Acknowledgement portion of the meeting at 6:36 pm.

He noted that during the time when remote meetings are being held public comments must be submitted in writing to the Clerk by email or by placing them in the deposit slot outside the office front door by 6:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Clerk Cave stated she had received no comments by email.

This portion of the meeting closed at 6:37 pm.

REPORTS:

Trustee Smith stated she had nothing to report.

Trustee Raftis stated that the Public Works Department has been keeping the streets clear of ice. Trustee Raftis stated he received notice from Caleb Graham that he is leaving the Village of Jerome employment at the end of January. Trustee Raftis wished him well and will speak with Treasurer Roth in posting the vacant position on Indeed.

Trustee DeHart stated the Eagle Scout that has been inventorying the library has reported that the hardback books are complete, and they are about halfway done on the other two rooms.

Trustee Lael stated he has attended the Sangamon County Natural Hazard Mitigation meeting in December. Trustee Lael stated that the Sangamon County Natural Hazard Mitigation began around 2015 to help municipalities receive grant funding. Trustee Lael stated the priority item for the Village of Jerome is a generator. Estimates for the generator in 2015 was $21,000, now the costs are $27,000. Other items on the list of priorities are the jetting out of all culverts and ditches in the Village, which is ongoing, SAMS which we are a part of now, storm water drainage was a master plan for all around the Springfield area. Trustee Lael would like to discuss on locating some funding for the purchase of the generator in the next fiscal year.

Trustee Leigh Irons stated we received applications for part time officers and possibly full-time officers. Trustee Leigh Irons stated they will be setting up interviews in the next week and hopefully will bring them to the board for approval in the February meetings if all goes right.

Trustee Ralph Irons stated he had nothing to report.

Village Clerk Cave had nothing to report.

Attorney Brokaw had nothing to report.

President Lopez stated that he is finalizing his changes to the Bulletin and would like 1 or 2 businesses highlighted in each bulletin. July 4th parade will be on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at 9 am. Thanks again to all the trustees and employees for keeping the Village running smoothly, it is sad we lost an employee in public works, but we will find another one. President Lopez stated he is pleased with the General Revenue Funds on how healthy they are, and that revenue is good. President Lopez will be reaching out to Representative Mike Murphy on the businesses here in the Village, how many jobs that generates. Reminder that there are two holidays this month where staff will be off, February 11 and February 21st.

NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION: President Lopez asked Trustee Raftis to present discussion and approval of Christmas Tree Pickup. Trustee Raftis suggested that Tuesday January 25, 2022, the Public Works Department will pick up all Christmas trees that are on the resident’s property.

Motion to approve picking up and disposing the Christmas trees starting January 25, 2022, through February 1, 2022 by Trustee Raftis and 2nd by Trustee Ralph Irons.

Upon roll call vote, all voted AYE;

MOTION PASSES.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, President Lopez asked for a motion to close the meeting at 6:53 pm. Motion was made by Trustee Leigh Irons and 2nd by Trustee DeHart.

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