South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met July 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday July 14, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Jackson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Council Member Garrett, and Council Member Fontanez Absent: Mayor Kuder and Council Member Allen

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Galen Mahle, City Manager; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Chief Chris Locke, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; and Kim Enke, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro Tem Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Fontanez led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Rick Garrett addressed the City Council thanking the city staff for their open door policy. He questioned the amount of the OSLAD grant received, when the work will be starting at Laura Leake Park, how much has been spent at Fairview Park over the grant funds provided, and the plans for putting in roads at Fairview Park in the future.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Approve Items 1- 3 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The June 23, 2025 City CouncilMeeting

2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The June 26,2025 Special City Council Meeting

3. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $2,358,623.95

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

None

BIDS

None

ORDINANCES

City Manager Mahle stated that as part of the State Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, the State of Illinois has repealed the statewide grocery tax that would be effective January 1, 2026. This change, passed under Public Act 103-0781, also grants authority to local municipalities to now implement a local 1% grocery sales tax by ordinance. He explained the need to pass the ordinance in order to ensure there is no interruption in this revenue source. He stated that the ordinance was reviewed by the City Attorney to assist in this process. City Manager Mahle further explained that it is not a new tax, and the grocery tax has been a tax since 1980 which has been $350,000 to approximately $400,000 in revenue which would be detrimental if lost. Council Member Fontanez questioned the passage of the tax last year and City Manager Mahle stated that this is for the grocery tax not the general sales tax that was increased last year. It was clarified that the passage of the .50% non-home rule tax increase was passed in 2024 in order for the City to not increase the levy on property tax. Council Member Garrett questioned what the tax was for. It was clarified through discussion that this 1% tax being considered to continue is for grocery items only and not the general retail sales tax for other items. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Approve An Ordinance Implementing A Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax And A Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax For The City Of Centralia.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: Council Member Fontanez

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Mahle stated that the Chamber of Commerce presented a proposal to the Tourism Commission to serve as the Administrative Agent. The proposal includes assisting the Tourism Commission with goals and tasks included in the comprehensive plan. Tourism committee members and Marcus Holland were present to discuss the intention of the proposal and the understanding that the City Council would need to approve the proposal that will then allow for the Tourism Committee to determine specific tasks that are outlined in Exhibit A of the proposal that is being considered for the Commission to move forward with. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Approve A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce to Serve as Administrative Agent for the Centralia Tourism Commission.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

REPORTS

City Manager Mahle thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their work to move the Tourism Committee forward and also thanked them for organizing and providing Balloon Fest.

City Manager Mahle also shared that the signage for the new Water Treatment Plant has been completed and new images have been provided and available for viewing in the Council Chambers during the meeting.

Council Member Fontanez thanked the Veterans Committee for their work to organize the 4t h of July parade that has continued to grow.

Mayor Pro Tem Jackson also thanked the Chamber and discussed the upcoming Balloon Fest.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/8206