South West Illinois News

City of Red Bud Finance Committee met Aug. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present: Rodney Nevois, Alan Piel, Ben Schwartzkopf, Mike Rheinecker, Bill Hanebutt

Committee Members Absent: None

Council Members Present: Curt Guebert, Jeremy DeMond, Kyle Donjon

Council Members Absent: None

Others Present: Mayor Susan Harbaugh, Attorney Rick Cooper, Code Adm./City Engineer Jeff Mueller, Police Chief John Brittingham, Administrative Officer Jill Landgraf, City Clerk Joanne Cowell

Others Absent: City Superintendent Josh Eckart

Committee Chairman Nevois called the meeting to order at 6:18 P.M.

Old Business

None

New Business

I. Approval of Prior Month’s Meeting Minutes – July 15, 2024 Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Rheinecker, to approve the minutes from the July 15, 2024, meeting. Carried

II. CD Information

A. Maturing CDs and Investments

There are two CDs due on October 24, 2024, four due on November 16, 2024, and two due on December 20, 2024.

III. Financial Dashboard

Chairman Nevois reviewed the financial summary. The budget is at 25% of the year, the revenue is 1% below budget, due to not having received any real estate taxes, to date, while expenses are 17% below the budget ($943,000).

IV. HeroFund USA, Inc. Readiness Grant Approval

Chief Brittingham said this is a grant to purchase a drone, used in finding people, monitoring picnics, etc. This is a 50/50 match grant. Brittingham will select one person to be trained, which will be included with the purchase. Other training to do with the legal side of it will be done through the SILEC membership at no cost.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Schwartzkopf, to approve authorization to apply for the 50/50 HeroFund USA, Inc. Grant. Carried

V. Regional Site Readiness Grant Approval

This grant could be anywhere between $250,000 - $3,000,000 and would be used for the Red Bud Business Park. This grant is eligible for 50 plus acre projects, since the roadway is being developed in Phase I to the entire property, the business park is eligible.

Recommendation made by Committee Chairman Nevois, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to approve authorization for Jill Landgraf to apply for the Regional Site Readiness Grant. Carried

VI. City Hall Cleaning Quotes

Jill Landgraf presented the quotes for city hall cleaning. All agreed that the vendor supplying the cleaning supplies option is the way to go. All quotes supplied an hourly rate for the initial clean and for extra jobs (carpet shampooing, floor waxing, etc.) Landgraf will check if the prices change whether a contract is signed or not. Landgraf plans to run a background check and have the selected vendor sign a confidentiality agreement.

Recommendation made by Committee Member Rheinecker, seconded by Committee Member Hanebutt, to approve authorization to accept the proposal from Reflections Windows and Floors for city hall cleaning services. Carried

VII. Kristen Rahn Financial Request - Email

Kristen Rahn had sent an email asking if the city would proceed with financing the appraisal by Boyd L. Harris, ALC. The Special Council Meeting Minutes of July 15, 2024, state that “with contingencies being a certified commercial appraisal and funds being dispersed through a draw down line of credit…” Jill Landgraf will notify Ms. Rahn that the appraisal must be in city hall before any funds are dispersed.

VIII. Grocery Sales Tax (Discussion Only)

Mayor Harbaugh reviewed information which she provided regarding the grocery sales tax. The tax has been repealed by the State of Illinois, effective January 1, 2026. The city currently receives $100,000+ in food taxes per year. The sample ordinance provides the opportunity for the city to adopt a 1% grocery sales tax, which will be administered by IDOR, for a fee of .025%. This fee would be deducted from the taxes collected and net the State around $5,000,000 per year. This will be left on the agenda for further discussion.

IX. Public Comments/Anything for the Good of the City

None

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 P.M.

https://www.cityofredbud.org/uploads/3/8/4/1/38410823/finance_081924.pdf