Manteno reports: successful holiday event, building permits and safety reminders

Staff and trustees used the meeting to highlight community events and operational updates. Jacob (staff) reported the Christmas-in-Manteno event had strong participation from local businesses — 18 businesses took part — and that organizers had told businesses to prepare for about 500 participants; Jacob said more than 500 participants came through downtown businesses though he did not provide a precise headcount.

The village administrator reported 31 building permits were issued in November and said Domino's Pizza on South Creek Drive is awaiting power and water with hopes to open in early January; the adjacent tenant space remains vacant. Trustee Berry reported that $44,898.23 in bills had been authorized and paid between board cycles and announced the next finance committee meeting on Jan. 20, 2026.

Sergeant Chris Reynolds briefed the board on a string of recent burglaries to motor vehicles across the county and urged residents not to leave cars running unattended and to lock vehicles to avoid theft. Trustees praised public-works crews for holiday preparations and decorations and encouraged residents to be safe during the season.

Trustees set several committee meeting dates and thanked staff and volunteers for event support; no formal board decisions beyond scheduling and routine business were taken in this section of the meeting.