Vandalia Council approves 2025 budget as emergency, OKs street-tree contract and several zoning variances

The Vandalia City Council on Dec. 2 approved the city's 2025 operating and capital budget as an emergency ordinance, authorized the purchase and planting of street trees not to exceed $75,000, and voted on several Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) variances, while staff updated the council on leaf collection, the annual city calendar and an upcoming tree-lighting event.

Why it matters: adopting the budget as an emergency allows the city to begin its 2025 programs and capital work immediately; the street-tree contract and approved variances affect public right-of-way, private property improvements and local streetscape work.

The council adopted Ordinance 24-24, an emergency appropriation of the 2025 operating and capital budget, by a 7-0 roll call. Interim City Manager Sweeterman told the council that the emergency ordinance would allow staff to proceed with planned 2025 work. "This will allow us to move forward with our 2025 plans," Sweeterman said.

The council also approved Resolution 24-R-65, authorizing the purchase and planting of various species of street trees from Brown and Sons Nursery, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $75,000. Sweeterman said the street-tree replacement program began with a phase 1 earlier this year and staff plans three phases in total to replace 98 trees. Councilwoman Forrest moved the resolution and Councilman Follick seconded it; the vote was 7-0.

Council members approved…