Freeport opens 2026 appropriation hearing; Alderman Sanders challenges meeting order

Freeport officials opened a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 to receive comment on the proposed 2026 appropriation ordinance for the city of Freeport. The City Clerk read a published notice that said the ordinance was on file at City Hall and that an electronic version was available on the city website.

No written correspondence was reported to the clerk and there were no members of the public who provided testimony in person. After the clerk finished reading the notice, the presiding official asked for public comment and gave those who wished to speak the opportunity to do so.

Alderman Sanders used his allotted public-comment time to challenge the legitimacy and order of the meeting. Sanders questioned who was "running this assembly" and asserted the meeting was "out of order," saying the mayor did not conduct council business: "The mayor does not conduct council business," he said. He added, "We are totally out of order" and urged the council to change its approach to governing before Jan. 1.

Sanders told the council he would bring "records, proof, evidence" he said would support his assertions that city government was being conducted in a manner he described as lacking integrity. He concluded his remarks by saying, "This meeting should be adjourned."

The presiding official enforced the three-minute public-comment limit, said Sanders' time had expired and warned that continued disruption would be called out of order. With no additional public comments, the presiding official closed the hearing at 5:36 p.m.

No formal action was taken on the appropriation ordinance during the hearing; the clerk noted the ordinance was available for inspection at City Hall and online for review by interested parties.