The Centralia City Council Monday will continue discussion of creating a half-cent sales tax to replace the one-cent sales tax that the state of Illinois will no longer levy on behalf of local governments. City Manager Kory Smith says if approved Centralia will still have the lowest rates of all neighboring counties and municipalities. He notes by adopting the sales tax, the city will be able to maintain its current property tax levy and address the rising costs particularly in the area of public safety.
The council will be asked to approve a resolution of support and commitment of $280,240 in local funds for the railroad crossing elimination grant application. The money would be matched against a $1,120,960 federal grant to complete engineering work of creating railroad overpasses on South Elm and South Poplar Street to replace current grade crossings.
An ordinance will be presented to closing a portion of East Broadway from Oak to Poplar and South Locust from 2nd to Broadway for Celebrate Centralia on Saturday, October 12th.
The meeting begins at six Monday night at Centralia City Hall.
