Carlinville council adopts 2026 tax levy, extends CoBank loan and appoints deputy city clerk

The Carlinville City Council on Dec. 15 unanimously approved an ordinance setting the city’s tax levy for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2026 and ending April 30, 2027, and moved through a slate of routine administrative and finance items.

The levy ordinance was introduced by Alderman Reichmann and seconded by Alderman Brockmeier; the motion passed 6-0. Council members emphasized the item as a standard annual step required to set property tax levies for the coming fiscal year.

In other business, the council voted to approve an extension and renewal of the city’s CoBank loan (motion by Alderman Ober, second Alderman Brockmeier). The record shows the council approved the loan extension but does not include the loan’s terms or amended repayment schedule.

Council members also approved a number of operational items: opening and accepting bids for surplus equipment and trucks (accepted at the highest bidder), putting the city’s cleaning services (City Hall, Police Station, Amtrak Station) out for bid, and moving farm rental income from the Lake Fund to the General Fund to change how that revenue is recorded.

On personnel matters, Mayor Doug Downey swore in Officer Hayen Bellm. The council also approved the appointment of Lacey Manning as Deputy City Clerk (motion by Alderman Brockmeier, second Alderman LeVora; unanimous vote).

The council adopted the Macoupin County 2025 Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan resolution on a unanimous vote. The motion was presented as the city’s formal acceptance of the county plan; the transcript does not record implementation steps or associated funding commitments.

A recommended $10,000 change order charge from Mitchell Brothers was rejected after the city attorney recommended against payment. Alderman Reichmann moved not to pay the additional $10,000; Alderman Brockmeier seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

Mayor Downey closed the meeting with holiday wishes for aldermen and the public; Alderman Bill Link read "The Night Before Christmas." Alderman Reichmann moved to adjourn at 6:37 p.m.; Alderman Brockmeier seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Dec. 1 minutes: motion passed 6-0 (Reichmann/Ober). - Approval of bills: motion passed 6-0 (LeVora/Brockmeier). - Carlinville Market Days permit (April–November 2026): approved 6-0 (Brockmeier/Reichmann). - Tax levy ordinance (FY May 1, 2026–Apr. 30, 2027): approved 6-0 (Reichmann/Brockmeier). - Open and accept bids for surplus equipment: motions passed 6-0. - Appointment of Deputy City Clerk Lacey Manning: approved 6-0 (Brockmeier/LeVora). - City cleaning services RFP: put out for bid, approved 6-0 (Reichmann/LeVora). - CoBank loan extension: approved 6-0 (Ober/Brockmeier); terms not specified in the record. - Farm rental income reallocation (Lake Fund → General Fund): approved 6-0 (Link/Reichmann). - Adoption of Macoupin County 2025 All Hazards Mitigation Plan resolution: approved 6-0 (Ober/LeVora). - Mitchell Brothers $10,000 change order: council voted not to pay additional $10,000, 6-0 (Reichmann/Brockmeier). - Adjournment at 6:37 p.m.: approved 6-0 (Reichmann/Brockmeier).

The meeting record documents motions and outcomes but contains limited detail on loan terms and implementation steps for the mitigation plan; those items appear as approvals without further recorded direction.