Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion council approves patrol officer, multiple redevelopment amendments and city projects
Summary
The Marion City Council unanimously approved hiring Evan Dowdy as a patrol officer, several redevelopment-agreement amendments, a community-center flooring contract, and a Doppler text-notification contract; Commissioner Patton was absent for votes.
The Marion City Council voted unanimously, with Commissioner Patton absent, to approve a package of personnel and small capital actions including the hiring of a new patrol officer and multiple redevelopment-amendment ordinances.
Council members approved the appointment of Evan Dowdy to the Marion Police Department, with a stated start date of Nov. 11, 2025. Dowdy introduced himself to the council and family members who attended; after a short presentation about his prior service in Carterville, the council approved the appointment and administered the oath of office.
In other votes, the council approved a low bid of $16,250 to Floor Site to install luxury-vinyl flooring in the original portion of the Boynton Street Community Center and approved a contract to adopt a Doppler text-notification system for public-works and street-related notices, replacing earlier robo-call notifications. City staff said the new platform can reach landlines and supports two-way texting that will be routed to department staff with platform access.
The council also approved a set of redevelopment-related ordinances: Ordinance 4076 (a residential TIF 2 redevelopment agreement for new construction at 1200 S. Vicksburg), Ordinance 4073 (an amendment adding Michael Malone as a developer so he may submit receipts for rebatable costs), Ordinance 4074 (an amendment allowing up to an additional $200,000 in rehab/renovation costs if incurred), and Ordinance 4075 (acceptance of the plat for Central Crossing Subdivision converting separate parcels to a single PIN). City staff described Ordinance 4074 and 4073 as clerical or developer‑addition amendments that do not change the rebate amounts but allow additional named parties to submit eligible costs.
The roll-call votes on these items recorded "yes" votes from Commissioner Barwick, Commissioner Webb, Commissioner Stecklin and Mayor Absher; Commissioner Patton was recorded as absent for the meeting.
The meeting closed after routine commissioner reports and a public-comment period.
