Mount Carmel council adopts balanced FY2025–26 budget, OKs $9,500 aid for Super 8; hears 20‑acre data‑center proposal

Mount Carmel City Council on an evening meeting adopted a balanced fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a $9,500 incentive for roof repairs at the Super 8 hotel, and heard a presentation from Yellow Box LLC about developing a data center on roughly 20 acres of city‑owned land. Council members also reviewed a failed bid opening for airport hangar construction and discussed neighborhood property maintenance and upcoming recycling and mosquito‑control schedules.

The council voted to adopt the FY2025–26 budget after a motion and second. A roll call indicated affirmative votes among the members present; individual vote counts are not fully specified in the meeting transcript. According to the council discussion, the adopted budget is balanced and based on estimated revenues; the mayor described it as “a very positive outcome” for the city.

Why it matters: Adopting a balanced budget sets the city’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year; the incentive approved for the Super 8 is a targeted use of local economic tools and the Yellow Box proposal, if it proceeds, could add utility demand and new property to the tax roll.

Budget adoption and minutes The council first approved the minutes of the April 14, 2025 meeting by motion and roll call; the transcript records affirmative responses from members present but does not provide a complete roll‑call tally. Later, the council moved and seconded to adopt the ordinance for the fiscal year 2025–26 budget (identified in the meeting as ordinance 21‑24‑4). The mayor and staff described the budget as balanced and based on estimated revenues. The precise total and line‑item breakdowns were discussed in summary terms in the meeting and will be part of the official budget document on file with the city.

Super 8 roof repair — Resolution 714 Council considered Resolution 714, which authorizes assistance related to a roof replacement at the Super 8 hotel after hail damage. The council stated the roof is roughly 20 years old and the overall project was described at about $47,000; the local assistance being approved to the contractor was $9,500 through TIF/enterprise‑zone support. The resolution was carried by roll call; the transcript explicitly records affirmative votes from Commissioners Eichner, Butler and Zimmerman. The meeting record does not provide a complete named tally for every member present.

Yellow Box LLC data‑center proposal Robert Powell, representing Yellow Box LLC, told the council the company is “looking to, develop and build a data center, here in Mount Carmel.” Powell said his team has coordinated with the local utility and is working on fiber, water and other infrastructure. He said the company is considering using about 20 acres of city‑owned land for the project and described the proposal as an opportunity to leverage that property for development.

City leaders explained a proposed short‑term (three‑year) development contract that would allow Yellow Box to seek an end user or buyer; if a sale occurs the council said the plan is to sell at 80% of market value “which is within guidelines by the state of Illinois.” City staff and the presenters have been working with attorneys and engineers; no binding sale or final agreement was approved at the meeting. The mayor said more detail and a formal vote would be scheduled for a later meeting after legal review.

Airport hangar bids At an earlier afternoon bid opening for the Mount Carmel Municipal Airport — for a five‑bay T hangar and snow‑removal equipment — the city received no timely bids. One bidder arrived after the bid opening and was disqualified. The mayor said the city will review the submissions and bring the matter back for council action at the next meeting.

Neighborhood maintenance, recycling and mosquito control The mayor urged residents to maintain yards and remove debris, noting neighbors often alert the city to high grass or junk. The mayor said city mowing after a complaint can be expensive and mentioned a range from $75 to “about $250,” which the mayor said can increase on repeated actions; the meeting transcript does not provide an exact city fee schedule. Staff encouraged residents who lack resources to contact City Hall for assistance.

The council also announced an electronic‑recycling event scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and noted posted pricing for items. The fire chief reported the department had handled multiple recent calls and training events. Public works and utilities staff gave routine updates on street, drainage and water‑system maintenance. Staff noted that the mosquito‑spraying truck will not operate if the temperature is below 65°F or precipitation is forecast.

What’s next Council members said items expected at a future meeting include a formal vote on any agreement with Yellow Box LLC if attorneys finalize terms, and a follow‑up on receiving acceptable bids for the airport hangar and snow‑removal equipment.