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Pingree Grove board keeps 1% grocery tax, approves wastewater change order and land‑acquisition contract
Summary
The Pingree Grove Board of Trustees voted April 21 to continue a 1% municipal grocery retailers and service occupation tax, approved a $24,853.85 change order for the wastewater treatment plant project, and authorized a $37,950 agreement with Fairgram for land‑acquisition negotiation on a planned roundabout.
The Pingree Grove Board of Trustees on April 21 voted to continue a 1% municipal grocery retailers and municipal grocery service occupation tax, approved a $24,853.85 change order for the wastewater treatment plant improvements project and authorized a $37,950 contract for land‑acquisition negotiator services related to the Reinking and Damish roundabout.
The ordinance to continue the 1% grocery tax passed on a roll call vote. Andy (village staff) told the board the state legislature and governor last year approved legislation that would end the statewide grocery tax on Jan. 1, 2026, but that law also allows municipalities to adopt local ordinances to continue collecting the tax. "This is revenue that we would be collecting from people coming in or through the village," Andy said, noting the village relies significantly on sales taxes and state shared revenues because the village portion of property tax bills is relatively small.
In the consent agenda the board approved routine items including the April 7, 2025 minutes; a warrant list in the amount of $3,232,523.90; pay application No. 18 for the wastewater treatment plant improvements project in the amount of $3,502,410.71; and several reappointments and appointments to boards and commissions. The consent agenda passed on a roll call vote.
On item B the board approved change order No. 5 for the wastewater treatment plant improvements project in the amount of $24,853.85. Andy and Seth (village engineer) explained the additional cost covers conduit needed to connect the plant to a new transformer after ComEd finalized its design. Seth said the original design had assumed a different connection point and the final ComEd plans shifted the connection to Reinking Road, creating the difference in cost.
The board also approved a professional services agreement with Fairgram for land‑acquisition negotiator services for $37,950. Andy and Seth said the contract is needed so the village can meet Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) requirements for negotiated acquisitions tied to federal funding. Seth described the IDOT process as a regimented, step‑by‑step procedure that requires IDOT‑approved negotiators and appraisers when federal dollars are involved. Andy said the project has about $2,500,000 in federal funding allocated and that land acquisition cannot proceed to the next phase without IDOT approvals.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: Approved (motion to approve the consent agenda). Included: approval of April 7, 2025 minutes; warrant list $3,232,523.90; pay application No. 18 — wastewater treatment plant improvements $3,502,410.71; reappointments/appointments to local liquor control commission, Board of Police Commissioners, Police Pension Fund trustees, and Planning & Zoning Commission. Outcome: approved by roll call. - Ordinance: Municipal grocery retailers and grocery service occupation tax (1% continuation): Approved (motion to approve ordinance). Outcome: approved by roll call. - Change order No. 5 — Wastewater treatment plant improvements, $24,853.85: Approved (motion to approve change order No. 5). Outcome: approved by roll call. - Professional services agreement — Fairgram, land‑acquisition negotiator services, $37,950: Approved (motion to approve agreement). Outcome: approved by roll call.
Board members and staff said next steps include waiting for IDOT to complete recent reviews for Traumann and Dom's submittals related to the grocery‑anchor development and for IDOT approval before the village begins appraisals and formal acquisition steps. Michael (village attorney) explained that if negotiations reach an impasse the village would send an impasse letter to the property owner and, only after exhausting reasonable options, could pursue eminent domain litigation as a last resort. President Amber Kubiak and staff said they will continue discussions with IDOT and other stakeholders, including railroad representatives involved in the roundabout corridor work.
