The Centralia City Council passed a resolution at its meeting on Tuesday expressing support for a 12-year extension of the downtown TIF District #3. City manager Galen Mahle says the TIF has made notable past and current projects possible, and that extending the TIF is necessary to attract and retain businesses in the downtown area. Economic Development Director Rob Jackson will be tasked with visiting meetings of taxing bodies within the TIF and seeking their support for the extension.
In ordinances, the council consolidated the two previous half-cent sales tax ordinances enacted in September 2024 and September 2025 into a single explicit 1% sales tax to ensure clarity in language and compliance with tax law.
As the Centralia High School construction trade program is finishing its work building a house at 330 Melrose street, the council approved an ordinance to convey the vacant property at 611 South Pine, where the class will begin work on building another house.
The council approved an advertising agreement with Outfront Media for a tourism billboard campaign. The $16,000 contract includes a billboard for Centralia along I-64 east of 20th Street facing west. The money for this contract comes from a $63,635 tourism marketing grant received from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
In public participation, Mayor Bryan Kuder issued a proclamation recognizing the week of October 18-25 as Centralia Business and Professional Women’s Club Week. He gave service awards to Fire Lieutenant Cory Kleiboeker for 25 years of service and Scott Towler for 10 years of service.
In his report at the end of the meeting, city treasurer Bill Agee announced his intent to retire in November. Agee says he has enjoyed his time with the city of Centralia and wishes it the best of luck.
Centralia Fire Lieutenant Cory Kleiboeker honored for 25 years of service. Photo by Austin Williams.
