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Pinckneyville council approves tax levies, insurance changes and project contracts; tables one ordinance
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting, the Pinckneyville City Council unanimously approved a $1.09 million tax levy estimate (excluding the library), a $69,000 library levy estimate, changes to stop-loss insurance deductible, and multiple purchases and resolutions including a cultural survey for the new wastewater plant; one alleyway ordinance was tabled.
The Pinckneyville City Council on Nov. 24 unanimously approved a series of routine financial measures, contracts and equipment purchases while tabling one traffic ordinance and briefly entering executive session to discuss property pricing.
In the meeting’s most consequential votes, the council approved Resolution No. R-2025-30 estimating the city’s tax levy (excluding the library) at $1,090,000 for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026 and approved Resolution No. R-2025-31 setting the Pinckneyville Public Library’s levy estimate at $69,000. City Attorney Don Bigham told the council the city’s levy increase was under 5 percent, so a truth-in-taxation hearing was not required.
The council also moved forward several routine financial and procurement items. Commissioner William B. Stotlar presented the treasurer’s report showing an ending balance of $11,507,836.56 for the period ending October 2025 and an unrestricted balance of $2,195,358.01; the council voted to approve the report. Commissioners approved accounts payable and the minutes from the Nov. 10 meeting.
On specific purchases and contracts, the council approved: - A $1,500 corporate advertising purchase from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund for PCHS District 101’s 2025 Duster Thomas Hoops Classic (Dec. 27, 29 and 30). - A $4,850 quote from Choice Buildings, LLC to construct a lean-to over the northeast entry door and generator at the firehouse, to be paid from the Foreign Fire Tax Fund. - A utility bed purchase for Utility Department Truck #55 from Turner Welding Truck Bed Sales & Installations for $8,000 plus $800 installation, to be paid from Gas Capital Outlay.
The council accepted Resolution No. R-2025-29, authorizing Prairie Archaeology & Research, Ltd. to conduct Phase I cultural resource surveys and reports tied to the planned new wastewater treatment plant, and placed Resolution No. R-2025-33 (the 2026 Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Program) on file with an estimated amount of $230,000.
On employee benefits, the council reviewed several stop-loss insurance deductible options and chose a $45,000 specific deductible under Resolution No. R-2025-32. Commissioners were told the current specific deductible is $35,000 and renewing at that level would cost the city roughly $16,000 more; raising it to $40,000 would add about $2,000, while a $45,000 deductible was projected to save a little over $5,000 for the year but increase the city’s exposure.
Mayor Spencer announced Ordinance No. O-2025-15 (to designate a one-way alleyway) was being tabled; the minutes record only that the ordinance was tabled. The council adjourned into executive session at 6:22 p.m. to discuss Section 2(c)(6) — setting a price for the sale or lease of city-owned property — re-entered regular session at 6:48 p.m., and adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
During public comment, Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked about the status of the city clock; Mayor Spencer said the clock is running but shows the incorrect time after a lightning strike and that a vendor must reset it following a parts replacement.
All recorded motions and resolutions in the minutes carried on unanimous roll call among the four members present (Mayor Spencer and Commissioners Kuhnert, Peradotta and Stotlar); Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks was absent.
