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Beardstown City Council approves tentative firefighters’ union agreement after executive session
Summary
The Beardstown City Council voted to approve a tentative collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3155 following an executive session on collective bargaining. Councilors also approved routine minutes, filed the consent agenda and received financial and ambulance reports.
The Beardstown City Council on Jan. 21 approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3155 that represents the city’s fire and ambulance employees.
Ald. Eric Harbin moved to approve the tentative agreement and Ald. Dawn Seward seconded; the motion passed on a 5–0 roll call vote. Absent were Ald. Chris Baer, Ald. Ron Culves and Ald. Shawn Taylor.
Councilors voted earlier in the meeting, 5–1, to enter an executive session under Exemption 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) for collective bargaining. The motion to enter executive session was made by Ald. Dawn Seward and seconded by Ald. Keith Schramm; the roll call was Yeas — Lisa Buhlig, Mary Davis, Keith Schramm, Dawn Seward and Mayor Tim Harris; No — Eric Harbin. The meeting resumed in open session at 6:48 p.m.
The tentative agreement, described in council action as covering Fire and Ambulance employees and negotiated with Local 3155, was adopted by voice of the roll call and recorded as approved; the text of the agreement and any implementation dates were not specified in the meeting minutes.
The council also handled routine business. Ald. Dawn Seward moved and Ald. Mary Davis seconded approval of the Jan. 7, 2025 minutes; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Ald. Eric Harbin moved and Ald. Dawn Seward seconded to file the consent agenda under the Omnibus Vote Designation; that motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
City Clerk Brian Ruch presented financial reports for December 2024 that listed cash receipts for the month at $765,996.19 and cash disbursements at $885,380.61. The treasurer’s report showed combined fund balances including a General Fund balance of $2,995,819.24 and an ARPA grant balance of $561,495.06. The council recorded overtime and part‑time pay totals for December by department (Ambulance $27,620.25; Fire $7,583.08; Police $16,161.46; Public Works/Cemetery/City Hall $5,920.76).
Ambulance service reports were presented for Beardstown (72 calls in December 2024; total charges $82,998.00; collections $18,945.54) and Virginia (27 calls; total charges $33,072.00; collections $16,295.59). The minutes list fiscal‑year cumulative figures as well but do not attach detailed backup in the published minutes.
With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:53 p.m. on a motion by Ald. Mary Davis, seconded by Ald. Dawn Seward.
What happens next: The minutes as approved and the motion record indicate the tentative union agreement is in place; the council did not specify an effective date or any further implementation steps in the recorded minutes.
