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Votes at a glance: Manhattan board approves tax levy, bond abatements, insurance renewals, hires seasonal crews and purchases snow-plow truck
Summary
The Village of Manhattan board approved a slate of routine budget and operational items including the tax levy ordinance, a series of bond abatement ordinances, insurance renewals, hiring seasonal snowplow crews, and purchase authorization for a used 2017 Mack snow plow truck for $109,900.
The Village of Manhattan board voted on a series of primarily procedural financial and operational items and approved them on roll call.
Key votes and outcomes - Tax levy: The board approved an ordinance levying and assessing the village’s property taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2026. The motion passed on roll call. - Bond abatements: The board approved a set of tax-abatement ordinances to cover 2025 interest and principal payments on multiple refunding bond issues, including $3,690,000 in general obligation refunding bonds (series 2016), $5,000,250 (taxable) general obligation refunding bonds (series 2021), $5,000,000 of general obligation bonds (series 2024) for the water treatment facility, $7,500,000 for Brookstone SSA refunding bonds (series 2015), and $9,750,000 for Stonegate SSA refunding bonds (series 2022). Each ordinance was presented as routine and passed on roll-call votes. - Insurance renewals: The board authorized renewal of village property, casualty, liability, cyber and workers’ compensation insurance through Marsh McLennan with Obsidian Specialty, Illinois Risk Fund and CFC Underwriting, and approved renewal of employee medical, dental, vision and life insurance through Risk Strategies with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Principal. Staff described a new health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) option combining a high-deductible plan with employer-provided funds to assist employees with deductible costs. - Staffing and equipment: The board authorized hiring seasonal snowplow drivers (CDL positions at $27/hour and non-CDL positions at $20/hour) and approved a resolution to purchase a used 2017 Mack snow plow truck from Transwest Truck Trailer RV (Savage, Minnesota) for $109,900; staff noted the truck has low mileage (~19,000) and was described as a quicker procurement option than ordering a new vehicle.
Why it matters: These votes implement the village’s debt-service strategy for 2025, ensure continuity of insurance coverage and employee benefits, and finalize near-term operational needs for winter services. The purchase and hires aim to bolster snow removal capacity during the winter season.
All motions recorded at the meeting were approved on roll-call votes. The meeting record indicates each motion carried when roll call was taken.
