The Centralia City Council has approved an amendment to the city’s municipal code on raffles, increasing the maximum prize value from a single raffle to $500,000. The old maximum was $250,000. Mayor Bryan Kuder explained that the increase follows a request from the American Legion to raise the limit for its Queen of Hearts drawing.
In other action, the council approved the demolition of 17 buildings that have been deemed dangerous and dilapidated. Those structures are located at: 237 North Beech, 608 East Kerr, 644 North Hickory, 1403 South Elm, 1111 Dover, 1000 Gragg, 1405 South Cherry, 1411 South Cherry, 1325 Short, 1014 North Maple, 109 East 11th, 902 East Kell, 416 South Sycamore, 115 North Cherry, 226 South Cherry, 516 North College, and 30 Devonia.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the council heard an overview of the audit report presented by Kevin Tepen of C.J. Schlosser and Company covering the fiscal year that ended December 31. Tepen reported that the city’s net position increased by more than $3.7 million in 2023, and its assets exceeded its liabilities by more than $17 million as of the end of the year. Council members approved the city’s audited financial statements following the report.
The council also approved a request from American Legion Post 446 to use Fairview Park from July 1 through July 4 for the annual Fourth of July Celebration and approved a request from the Salem High School Bass Fishing Team to use Raccoon Lake for tournaments on July 28 and August 4.
