North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/MtVernonIL.

Mayor John Lewis opened the meeting.

Rose Straeter with Broken, Loved, Healed led the Invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for the December 4, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to the Council for approval.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $3,509,918.24. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES None.

CITY MANAGER

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 18, 2023

Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna introduced Finance Director Stephanie Bailey to present the 2023 Audit. She stated that the auditors, Roth & Co., reported they found a clean opinion. This was the first year that they have conducted the City’s Audit. Finance Director Bailey then highlighted items from the Audit as follows:

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The assets and deferred outflows of resources of the City exceeded its liabilities and deferred inflows of resources by $56.4 million (net position) as of April 30, 2023.

The City’s total net position for the fiscal year increased by $8.3 million, or 17%. The governmental net position increased by $5.5 million, or 27%, and the business-type net position increased by $2.8 million, or 10%.

The City’s Governmental Funds are reported with a combined ending fund balance of $35.0 million. The General Fund accounted for $16.6 million, or 47%, of the total. The General Fund ending fund balance increased by $6.4 million, or 63%, from the previous reporting period.

Net position in the City’s Pension Trust Funds decreased by $1.8 million, or 4% due to investment losses during the year.

Finance Director Bailey shared information regarding Revenues by Source:

Finance Director Bailey shared information regarding the Balance Sheet and the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances for the Year Ended April 30, 2023.

Finance Director Bailey also discussed the funding for the Police Pension Fund and the Firefighters’ Pension Fund.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the 2023 Audit. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented for Second Reading of an Ordinance Concerning the Levy and Collection of Taxes for the 2024 Fiscal Year. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna stated that nothing has changed since the first reading, and there have been no calls received from the public. The total levy is $2,880,100.00, the same as last year.

Page 4 of 6

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 18, 2023

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2023-38, an Ordinance Concerning the Levy and Collection of Taxes for the 2024 Fiscal Year. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase the Number of Package Sales Liquor Licenses. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna explained that there is a company wanting to open a package liquor store at the old Jumpin’ Jimmy’s location on Broadway. There is not a license available. This would increase the number from eight to nine licenses. Council Members had questions regarding the license and type of business. Assistant City Manager McKenna stated that this is the first reading only and that the City would obtain additional information for the second reading.

First Reading Only.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna stated this Ordinance is in regard to the Illinois Paid Leave for All Act that takes effect January 1. The Illinois Municipal League has suggested that this Ordinance be passed before the end of the year.

Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2023-39, an Ordinance Regarding the Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Amending the Personnel Policy Manual. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna stated there are several amendments in the Personnel Policy Manual in response to changes in the State legislation and also the Paid Leave For All Workers Act.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Amending the Personnel Policy Manual. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CITY COUNCIL

City Council Members also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

 https://www.mtvernon.com/media/qb0e0n1z/december-18-2023-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf