City Council requests $3.3M levy increase
The City Council passed the annual Tax Levy Ordinance total for 2011-12, which shows a $55,000 increase from the previous fiscal year in property tax revenue.
The proposed levy is requesting $3.3 million, and is not a substantial increase.
Mayor John Inyart said the small increase is due to new construction.
The report is required to be filed by the end of the year and is restricted to increase more than 2.7 percent from the previous year.
In other matters, the pension report was approved by the council, which indicates the level for pension funds for city officials.
The report also allows the city to keep up with the rising pension costs for city police officers and firefighters.
“We work toward keeping sufficient amounts,” Inyart said. “This is a large portion from where the city gets its money.”
The document will be placed on file for public inspection.
The agreement with Coles County Council on Aging, Inc. saw changes made to the document with regard to contact personnel.
The resolution, which was approved on December 3, 2003, provides for a working agreement between the Charleston Police Department, the Charleston Fire Department and the Coles County Council with regard to the Utilization of Dial-A-Ride Rural Public Transportation Vehicles in an Emergency.
“It is a working agreement I hope we never need,” Inyart said.
Nora Pat Small, a member of the Illinois Historic Preservation Commission, came forward during public presentations to bring awareness to the U.S. Post Office located on Sixth Street that is being sold.
Patswell requested for visionary persons to invest in the historic building for adaptive re-use.
Inyart had previously met with Patswell to discuss options to use the building, including using it as a condominium.
“I would love it if someone came along and invested in the building,” Inyart said. “But if we can’t come up with any use for the building, I have a hard time keeping it around to see it eventually crumble to the ground.”
Two parking ordinances were tabled and placed on file because of the absence of Larry Rennels.
Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-2812
