Galena council approves city clerk, zoning administrator, staff reorganization and fuel-tax resolution

The Galena City Council on May 26 approved a suite of personnel and administrative actions, including appointing a new city clerk and zoning administrator, adopting staff organizational adjustments effective June 1, 2026, and passing a supplemental motor fuel tax resolution for 2025.

Council moved and seconded to appoint Hillary Dickinson to fill the unexpired term as city clerk through April 30, 2027, effective June 1, 2026. The motion was seconded and carried by roll call. The agenda item lists the appointment as item 26C-0225; the transcript records the name twice with slightly different spellings in successive lines ("Hillary Dickinson" and later "Hillary Dickerson"); the council record at the meeting used the appointment language and approved the motion.

On the same consented series of actions, the council appointed Sam White as zoning administrator effective June 1, 2026 (item 26C-0226). During discussion one council member said residents had waited for clarity on restructuring and that Sam had been handling related duties for the past two years.

The council also approved staff organizational adjustments (item 26C-0224). A council member said he met with City Administrator Matt and the plan drew on Illinois Municipal League guidance; members said the restructuring will align duties and responsibilities with current workload.

Separately, council approved a supplemental motor fuel tax resolution for 2025 (item referenced in the packet paperwork from the state) to support maintenance of streets and highways.

All motions were passed by roll call during the meeting; no member voiced a substantive objection during the recorded discussion. The approved appointments and organizational changes take effect June 1, 2026, except where the agenda specified otherwise.