By Austin Williams
The Central City Village Council approved the purchase of a new police squad car with capital improvement funding at the meeting on Tuesday. Police Chief James Ramsey spoke at the meeting about the need for a new car due to recurring mechanical problems in one the police department’s current cars.
The council also congratulated the department on a recent drug bust in which officers made an arrest and seized crystal meth, fentanyl, and over $1200 in cash. With the recommendation of the police department, the council also approved a contract for a security camera system around city hall to provide 24/7 surveillance.
The village approved ordinance raising sewer rates by five percent effectively immediately. Mayor Neely Reed said the increase would cover increased expenses from operating the department.
An ordinance requiring new single wide mobile homes to be placed on brick and mortar foundations was approved.
The annual tax levy ordinance was approved. It is the same amount as last year.
In addition, the council approved an ordinance opting the village out of the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The village will provide a day of paid leave to workers instead of the accrued 40 hours the act would otherwise mandate. Christmas bonuses for staff were approved, and adding vision coverage to employee coverage was discussed and tabled for the next meeting.
The council discussed the purchase of new picnic tables for the Lions Park and West Park pavilions. Mayor Neely Reed described the need for these replacements, saying the current tables were deteriorated and potentially unsafe. The decision was tabled for the next meeting, at which the park committee will make a recommendation. The council did approve splitting the cost of stump removal at Lions Park with Central City School.
The council discussed the possibility of renaming West Park. The options for consideration are keeping the name of West Park or giving it a new name suggested by members of the community. Central City residents are invited to contact village hall with any name suggestions. Whether the name is kept or changed, the board will consider making a new sign for the park. This discussion was tabled for the next meeting.
The next Central City Village board meeting was rescheduled for December 19 at 6 PM.
