Village of Cairo board approves consent order limiting discharges to three dwellings pending judgment

The Village of Cairo Board of Directors voted Jan. 31, 2025, in closed session to approve a consent order that allows discharge for three existing dwellings but prohibits any further discharges into the village system until a court judgment is reached. The motion to adopt the consent order was made by Vice Chairman Vanessa Joseph and seconded by Trustee Chris Hilke; the motion carried on a voice vote, and the transcript does not record a numerical vote tally.

The closed-session discussion was held under Section 610.021 (1) to address litigation and privileged communications with the board’s attorneys. Board members cited continuing public complaints and inquiries about discharges into the system as the background for seeking a consent order. Chairman Clint Cross, Vice Chairman Vanessa Joseph, Trustees Megan Brumley and Chris Hilke, and Clerk Amanda Cox were recorded present; Attorneys Randall Barron and Blake Hill participated by phone. Trustee Chris Zike was absent.

The board’s action, as recorded in the meeting minutes, directs that existing discharge be governed by the consent order for the three dwellings named in the discussion and that no new discharge be permitted until resolution of the pending legal matter. The transcript gives no details about the consenting parties, enforcement steps, or any timetable tied to the litigation; those details were not specified in the minutes and would be set by the consent order or subsequent court proceedings.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. on a motion by Trustee Megan Brumley, seconded by Trustee Chris Hilke.