Morton trustees approve five-year tax abatement, zoning oversight change and several infrastructure purchases

The Village of Morton Board of Trustees on March 3 approved a package of measures including a five-year partial real-estate tax abatement for Precision Planning, an ordinance moving supervision of the zoning enforcement officer from the mayor to the director of public works, a $16,870.60 building improvement grant for Craig Spine and Sport, acceptance of a $138,956.55 bid for water distribution materials from Ferguson Water Works, and authorization to purchase road salt through the state contract.

The actions, taken by recorded roll calls during the regular meeting, affect local economic development, public works procurement, and seasonal maintenance planning. Several votes were unanimous among those recorded on the roll calls.

Resolution 39-25: tax abatement Trustees approved Resolution 39-25, described in the meeting as a final document setting a five-year partial abatement of real estate taxes for property located inside the village corporate limits and associated with Precision Planning. The board voted by roll call; the votes recorded in the transcript were Hilliard — yes; Leach — yes; Merrill — yes; Newman — yes; Harris — yes. The motion passed.

Ordinance 25-19: zoning oversight The trustees approved Ordinance 25-19, which amends Section 10-10-1 of the Morton Municipal Code to change the reporting line for the zoning enforcement officer so the position reports to the director of public works rather than to the mayor. The roll-call votes recorded in the transcript were Leach — yes; Minnell — yes; Newman — yes; Herrick — yes; Hillier — yes. The motion passed.

Business district grant: Craig Spine and Sport The board approved a building improvement grant recommended by the business district for Craig Spine and Sport at 330 South Main. The total project cost recorded in the meeting was $16,870.60 for exterior garage‑door replacement and signage work at the former Scrolls location. Roll-call names recorded during the vote included Newman; Perry; Hillier; Calderon; Parrot; Leach; Minnell, all recorded as voting yes and the motion passed.

Public works procurement: water materials The board accepted the bid from Ferguson Water Works for water distribution materials in the amount of $138,956.55. The director of public works said the purchase is a routine annual procurement and covers some stock for the following year. The roll call recorded Calderon — yes; Newman — yes; Parrot — yes; Hillier — yes; Leach — yes; Minnell — yes. The motion passed.

Resolution 40-25: road salt through IDOT contract Trustees approved Resolution 40-25, authorizing purchase of road salt through the State of Illinois (IDOT CMS). The village administrator noted $50,000 in the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) line in the budget for salt and said the village planned orders under the IDOT contract. The roll call recorded Parrot — yes; Hillier — yes; Leach — yes; Minnell — yes; Newman — yes. The motion passed.

Other business and announcements The consent agenda — the minutes from the March 3 regular meeting and the closed session minutes plus approval of bills — was approved by roll call (Hilliard, Leach, Minnell, Newman, Eric recorded as yes). The village administrator announced the yard‑waste facility will open Monday, March 31, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other department heads reported no items for the board at this meeting.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes and bills): recorded yes votes — Hilliard; Leach; Minnell; Newman; Eric. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 39-25 (five-year partial abatement for Precision Planning): recorded yes votes — Hilliard; Leach; Merrill; Newman; Harris. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance 25-19 (amend Morton Municipal Code §10-10-1; change zoning enforcement officer oversight): recorded yes votes — Leach; Minnell; Newman; Herrick; Hillier. Outcome: adopted. - Building improvement grant (Craig Spine and Sport, 330 S. Main; total project cost $16,870.60): recorded yes votes — Newman; Perry; Hillier; Calderon; Parrot; Leach; Minnell. Outcome: approved. - Water distribution materials bid (Ferguson Water Works, $138,956.55): recorded yes votes — Calderon; Newman; Parrot; Hillier; Leach; Minnell. Outcome: approved. - Resolution 40-25 (authorize purchase of salt through IDOT CMS; MFT budget noted $50,000): recorded yes votes — Parrot; Hillier; Leach; Minnell; Newman. Outcome: approved.

The meeting adjourned after brief department reports and the announcement about the yard‑waste schedule.