The South Beloit City Council on Dec. 15 approved a supplemental budget transfer, appointed Scott Fisher as the city’s new fire chief and authorized multiple contracts and personnel adjustments, including an EPA‑funded cleanup on Sherland Avenue.

Council members moved to adopt an ordinance authorizing transfers from the general fund to other funds; staff told the council that $835,000 had been budgeted to transfer to the Capital Projects Fund as part of the adjustment. The council approved the ordinance by roll call.

The council also voted to approve Resolution 66‑56, appointing Scott Fisher as fire chief. Commissioner Adelman told Fisher the hire “was a unanimous decision,” and council members praised Fisher’s qualifications and anticipated contributions, including grant‑writing experience. Council members said they expect to complete the incoming chief’s swearing‑in in January, with the exact date to be confirmed.

On public works and environmental matters, the council approved Resolution 66‑57, awarding a $174,405 contract to Northern Illinois Service Company for the Sherland Avenue cleanup. A city staff member said, “This will be 100% reimbursable to our EPA cleanup grant, but this will need to actually remove the soils that are still existing,” describing the work as removal of contaminated soils rather than on‑site neutralization.

The meeting included several contract renewals and professional service approvals. The council renewed an engineering outsourcing agreement with the vendor identified as Fairgram (Resolution 66‑59), with staff noting no major scope changes and a modest fee adjustment; Garrett Flores was named as the forthcoming primary contact. The council approved Resolution 66‑60 to retain B & F Construction Code Service Inc. for zoning plan review, with the hourly rate noted in discussion to increase from $110 to $120.

Council approved an engagement letter with the law firm listed in the record as Sonoski Zito LLP to serve as city attorney (Resolution 66‑61). Staff said the revised agreement includes a 3% rate increase for 2026 and emphasized the firm’s institutional knowledge built over many years of supporting city operations.

On compensation and staffing, the council adopted Resolution 66‑62 to provide a baseline 4% pay increase for specified employees not covered by bargaining units. Staff also recommended larger, individual adjustments in some cases: for example, the council approved a 6% adjustment for Steve Haas to better align his pay with comparable roles and to reflect additional responsibilities. The council approved revised employment letters for several staff members, including a $100 monthly vehicle allowance for the code enforcement employee identified as Sean to cover travel for enforcement and regional meetings.

The council granted retroactive approvals for several infrastructure contracts to address failing drainage and dry‑well structures. The Smith Lane dry well replacement work was awarded to DPI Construction (not to exceed $13,435.08), and White Oak Drive drainage improvements were authorized with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $24,786 to Blacktop Group. Council discussion noted longstanding drainage impacts in the neighborhood that stemmed from the original developer’s work and described new city inspection and bonding procedures intended to prevent similar issues on future subdivisions.

All motions and listed resolutions on the agenda were carried by the council as recorded in the meeting. The meeting concluded with the mayor adjourning the session.

The council covered other routine reports and staffing matters during the meeting, including public‑works operations, CDL training completions, completed roadwork and parking‑lot repairs, seasonal hiring needs and community events such as the annual tree lighting.