Beardstown council approves $379,761.65 payment for USDA sewer project, OKs three TIF renovation grants

Beardstown City Council on Tuesday approved Payment Resolution No. 6, authorizing $379,761.65 for the USDA Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project, and approved three separate TIF renovation grants for downtown properties.

The payment resolution, moved by Alderperson Dawn Seward and seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin, passed by a 6‑0 roll call vote with Alderpersons Chris Baer and Shawn Taylor absent. The payment was divided between Hood Construction Group Midwest LLC ($370,015.02) and Benton & Associates, Inc. ($9,746.63).

Council members also approved three Tax Increment Financing renovation grants: a grant for 88 Bar & Grill LLC not to exceed $14,500 (motion by Alderperson Mary Davis, seconded by Alderperson Dawn Seward); a grant for Carrie Magerl d/b/a Magerl Law Office not to exceed $7,625 (motion by Alderperson Lisa Buhlig, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin); and a grant for First National Bank of Beardstown not to exceed $41,787.50 (motion by Alderperson Dawn Seward, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin). Each TIF motion passed by 6‑0 roll call vote; Baer and Taylor were recorded absent on each vote.

City Clerk Brian Ruch also presented the May financial reports: May cash receipts of $1,100,803.50 and disbursements of $1,166,929.88. The treasurer reported multiple fund balances, among them a General Fund balance of $3,048,676.70 and Special Revenue Funds totaling $3,168,288.59. Ambulance service statistics for Beardstown and Virginia were provided to the council during the consent agenda.

A separate request from Casa De Dios Para Las Naciones Church to use Art Zeeck Park on Saturday, July 27, 2024 was approved by voice vote.

The council took the actions during its regular session at Beardstown City Hall. No public comments were recorded during the meeting.