St. John council adopts multiple ordinances to enable TIF financing, updates EMS fees; approves consultants and hears 40‑acre park concept

The Town Council of St. John on Jan. 22 adopted a series of ordinances and resolutions to advance housing and infrastructure projects, updated emergency medical services fees, authorized consultant contracts and heard a concept plan for a town park on a 40-acre parcel donated last year. Council votes on recorded motions were unanimous where stated.

On second reading the council adopted Ordinance 1849, authorizing the town to issue one or more series of economic development tax-increment revenue bonds to finance housing projects to be located in the St. John Economic Development Area 4. The motion to adopt carried 4–0. The council also adopted Ordinance 1850 on second reading, which designates areas within the town’s economic development target areas (motion carried 4–0), and Ordinance 1852 on second reading establishing allocation funds for deposit of tax-increment revenues collected by the Lake County Auditor for Economic Development Areas 1–4 and St. John Commons (motion carried 4–0).

Separately, the council moved Ordinance 1851, which amends the town code section on Emergency Medical Services rates and fees. The council approved 1851 on first reading, suspended rules and adopted it on second reading at the same meeting; the…