Beardstown City Council approves $459,350 insurance package, hears Fire Department Knox Box presentation

Beardstown City Council on Nov. 19 approved renewed insurance coverage for the city and heard a Fire Department presentation about a Knox Box program for residents.

Alderperson Chris Baer moved, and Alderperson Eric Harbin seconded, to accept proposals from the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust for workers' compensation and liability coverage and unemployment insurance. The package, recorded in the minutes as totaling $459,350.00 for the stated coverage periods, was approved by roll call vote with yeas from Baer, Buhlig, Culves, Davis, Harbin, Schramm and Taylor; Alderperson Dawn Seward was absent.

The action follows routine procedural business at the start of the meeting. After the Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m., the Council approved the minutes of the Nov. 5 meeting on a motion by Alderperson Mary Davis, seconded by Alderperson Shawn Taylor, which passed unanimously by voice vote, and later approved and filed the consent agenda on a motion by Alderperson Chris Baer, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin.

The City Clerk and Treasurer provided routine financial reports. City Clerk Brian Ruch reported October cash receipts of $978,924.51 and cash disbursements of $1,024,889.38; year-to-date May 1–April figures were recorded as $7,945,551.76 in receipts and $6,562,847.06 in disbursements. The Treasurer noted fund balances including a General Fund combined checking balance of $3,148,287.71 and Special Revenue Funds of $4,614,547.36. The agenda recorded overtime and part-time pay totals for October by department (Ambulance $22,030.36; Fire $862.86; Police $14,452.38; Public Works/Cemetery/City Hall $10,456.75).

Council members also reviewed Ambulance reports. The Beardstown ambulance reported 63 calls in October with total charges of $59,764.00 and collections of $19,942.74; the Virginia ambulance reported 43 calls with charges of $46,594.00 and collections of $18,459.62. Year-to-date totals for the May 1–April 30 fiscal period were recorded in the meeting packet.

Fire Chief Chris McClenning presented the Knox Box program available to residents through the Fire Department and stated the department secured funding to purchase 25 Knox Boxes. The minutes do not specify the funding source or whether further Council action is required to distribute the boxes.

With no further business, Alderperson Mary Davis moved to adjourn, Alderperson Chris Baer seconded, and the Council adjourned at 6:31 p.m.