Pinckneyville council approves natural-gas supply deal, advances plans for 5 MW solar site and county animal-control pact

The Pinckneyville City Council on Dec. 22 approved a series of routine and policy actions, including a long-term natural gas supply agreement and steps that move a proposed 5-megawatt solar facility and a county animal-control arrangement closer to implementation.

Commissioner Joshua L. Kuhnert presented Ordinance No. O-2025-16, authorizing a Natural Gas Long Term Supply Agreement with the Interstate Municipal Gas Agency; the council approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote. Commissioner William B. Stotlar also presented the city treasurer’s report, which showed an ending balance of $11,101,537.30 for the period ending November 2025 and an unrestricted balance of $1,695,945.43. The council approved routine accounts payable and several vendor purchases, including a $4,197.51 emergency invoice for water-line repair supplies and a $5,765.97 quote to buy four desktop computers for city-hall staff.

Mayor Spencer introduced Resolution No. R-2025-34, an intergovernmental agreement related to a Saffron Solar, LLC development proposed within Pinckneyville city limits. City Attorney Don Bigham told the council the Zoning Board has approved a Special Use Permit for a solar facility of up to 5 megawatts and that state law requires an Agriculture Impact Mitigation Agreement addressing property restoration at the end of the facility’s life. Bigham said the question of which government entity will hold the restoration bond—Perry County or the City—has been discussed with the company and that the County will take action at a future meeting. The council placed Resolution R-2025-34 on file; Commissioners Hicks, Peradotta, Stotlar and Mayor Spencer voted YEA and Commissioner Kuhnert voted NAY.

The council also placed Resolution No. R-2025-35 on file, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with Perry County for animal-control services. Under the terms explained by City Attorney Bigham, the county would respond to calls and prosecute animal-control matters under county ordinances; the City would pay $2.10 per person annually, $20 per call within the city, and $65 per euthanization. Commissioner Peradotta calculated a base annual cost of $10,638.60. The council approved placing the resolution on file by roll call.

On utility operations, Commissioner Stotlar requested and the council approved a quote from Zenner/Utility Pipe Sales totaling $18,750 to send field project managers to assist with meter repairs—$12,500 for water meters and $6,250 for gas meters—paid from the water and gas repair budgets, respectively. Mayor Spencer said the Utility Billing Clerk needs accurate meter data to issue bills and reported there are 625 meters that are not returning automated reads; he said 480 are water meters and 145 are gas meters and that many still function but must be read manually because they are not returning satellite reads. "Two employees should be trained to repair gas meters and two employees should be trained to repair water meters," Mayor Spencer said, adding the city aims to respond to and complete meter repairs within 24–48 hours.

Other items approved by roll call included setting the 2026 municipal calendar (regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays at 6:00 p.m., with the Memorial Day meeting moved to Tuesday, May 26, 2026), authorization to install equipment in the city’s 2026 Dodge Durango police pursuit vehicle, and routine invoices and minutes. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 6:23 p.m. to discuss personnel matters under Section 2(c)(1) and returned to open session at 7:11 p.m., adjourning finally at 7:12 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance O-2025-16 (Natural Gas Long Term Supply Agreement with Interstate Municipal Gas Agency): approved on roll call (YEA: Hicks, Kuhnert, Peradotta, Stotlar, Mayor Spencer). - Resolution R-2025-34 (Intergovernmental agreement re: Saffron Solar, LLC; 5 MW facility): placed on file; YEA: Hicks, Peradotta, Stotlar, Mayor Spencer; NAY: Kuhnert. - Resolution R-2025-35 (Intergovernmental agreement for Perry County animal-control services): placed on file; vote recorded YEA unanimously. - Emergency invoice IMCO (Snowy Owl Road water-line repair), $4,197.51: approved unanimously. - Quote from CDS Office Technologies (four desktop computers), $5,765.97: approved unanimously. - Quote from Zenner/Utility Pipe Sales to send field project managers for meter repairs, $18,750: approved unanimously.

The council did not take final action on the Saffron Solar intergovernmental agreement; City Attorney Bigham said the County will act at a future meeting and legal details (including bond-holding for restoration per the Agriculture Impact Mitigation Agreement) are still being resolved. Public comment included a question from Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press about whether the city’s meters are smart meters; Mayor Spencer replied that most meters function but 625 are not returning automated reads and must be read manually. The meeting record shows the council took the listed votes and then moved to executive session for personnel discussion.