South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met Sept. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday September 8, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Kuder called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

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

Absent: None

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

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Kuder led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Fontanez led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mayor Kuder recognized Fire Department Lieutenant Andrew J. Sneddon For 25 Years Of Service.

Roger Campbell addressed the City Council suggesting the City Council require second readings prior to passing any ordinances and resolutions. He requested that the tax ordinance be tabled until the next meeting. He provided a copy of the budget referring to the ordinance that was also passed in 2024.

Shirlena Barnes addressed the City Council stating that she would be requesting a road closure for a trunk or treat at Laura Leake Park on October 18th.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve Items 1- 5 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The August 25, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The August 25, 2025 Public Meeting

3. Approval Of The Minutes Of The August 25, 2025 Public Meeting

4. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 1,878,932.28

5. An Ordinance Approving The Closure And Use Of Streets And Sidewalks For the Centralia Sunshine Project and Centralia Cultural Society Event on October 4, 2025

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson, and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

None

BIDS

City Manager Mahle stated that The City solicited bids to complete the Lead Service Line Inventory by identifying service line materials in non-pavement and pavement areas. The submitted low bid from JK Trotter is recommended for approval as it meets the scope and requirements for identifying service line and connection materials in both non pavement (Scenario 1) and pavement (Scenario 2) areas. In Scenario 1, the contractor will vacuum soil around the meter pit, identify materials, backfill and seed the area. In Scenario 2, the contractor will saw-cut pavement, vacuum to the service line, and restore with pavement to match the existing conditions. In both cases, the City will observe the work, and the contractor is responsible for all materials, labor, equipment, traffic control, mobilization, and proper identification reported to the City for the inventory. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve the Bid From J. K. Trotter & Sons For Lead Service Line Inventory In The Amount of $96,800.00.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

ORDINANCES

City Manager Mahle stated that sales taxes are a significant portion of the City’s revenues. He reported that in 2024, sales taxes totaled $3,525,253, comprising 21.0 percent of the City’s governmental activities revenue. Through August of 2025, sales taxes, including the 0.50% non-home rule sales tax which was passed in 2024 and went into effect on January 1, 2025, have totaled $2,632,665. He added that Public Act 103-0781, which was secured during the State’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget negotiations, gave the authority for non-home rule municipalities, like the City of Centralia, to implement a local sales tax without the need for referendum approval. He noted that this ordinance presented is to approve a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax of 0.50% which will bring the City’s total Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax to 1.0%. He also explained that if passed, this will bring the City’s total sales rate to 7.25% in both Clinton and Washington County with it being 8.25% within the Jolliff Bridge Business District within Clinton County. The rate in Jefferson County will be 7.75% as it includes a 0.50% county public safety tax. In Marion County, the rate will be 8.50% as it includes 1.00% for a county school facilities tax and a 0.25% county public safety tax. He stated that if passed, the City will have the same rate as Salem and will be less than Mt. Vernon’s current rate of 9.5%. He added that the rates of other neighboring communities include Carlyle at 7.25%, Central City at 8.0%, and Nashville at 6.25%. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Implementing A Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax for the City of Centralia.

Ayes: Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: Council Member Garrett

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

City Manager Mahle stated that the ordinance will allow for the advertisement and possible sale of the surplus properties included in the agenda. Each being set with a $2500.00 minimum bid. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Declaring Certain Real Estate As Surplus Property And Authorizing The City Manager To Solicit Bids For The Sale Of Surplus Real Estate – 435 S Hickory.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Declaring Certain Real Estate As Surplus Property And Authorizing The City Manager To Solicit Bids For The Sale Of Surplus Real Estate – 1335 S Locust.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Declaring Certain Real Estate As Surplus Property And Authorizing The City Manager To Solicit Bids For The Sale Of Surplus Real Estate – 615 N Hickory.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Declaring Certain Real Estate As Surplus Property And Authorizing The City Manager To Solicit Bids For The Sale Of Surplus Real Estate – 926 N Poplar.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

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

RESOLUTIONS

None

OTHER BUSINESS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

REPORTS

City Clerk Enke stated that the surplus properties would be advertised in the newspaper and the bid forms would be available on the City website for those that were interested in bidding on the properties.

City Manager Mahle reminded residents of the upcoming Elmwood Speaks program hosted by the Centralia Cultural Society in Elmwood Cemetery. He thanked the Public Property staff for their extra attention given to the cemetery grounds and the many volunteers that make the event possible.

City Manager Mahle stated that Rob Jackson will be starting as the Economic Development Director on September 15th and will attend the upcoming IML conference. He noted the 9-month vacancy in the position and stated that the position was not filled immediately as he wanted to be sure the position was filled with the right person. He noted Mr. Jackson’s unwavering commitment to the community as Council member, volunteer, committee member, and through other professional ventures.

Council Member Allen stated that City Manager Mahle has provided plenty of information and has answered any questions about the proposed tax increase. She stated that with the information provided, the City would need to increase revenue to pay the bills due. She added that although a hard decision, she stated that the City would need to either raise property taxes or the sales tax. She stated that with the property taxes the small burden falls on a small group of people and with the sales tax anyone that comes to our city contributes and pays for the amenities of the city.

Council Member Jackson stated that this is his last meeting as a Council Member and thanked everyone including the Department Heads, Administration, Mayor and Council Members for the experience. He stated that he is humbled to now be in a day-to-day role and looks forward to learning a lot and hitting the ground running for further progress.

Mayor Kuder congratulated the Centralia Orphan football team that is now 2 and 0. He discussed the recent success of the Salem vs. Centralia competition to raise funds for Shriners Hospital with almost $14,000.00 being raised by Centralia and a total of approximately $23,000.00 being raised to support Shriners Hospital. He thanked everyone that was involved in fundraisers and for their contributions to support the events. He also noted that Joel Brooks is selling tickets for the NAACP dinner to be held at the Centralia Community Youth Center on October 18th.

Mayor Kuder provided an update concerning the property at 330 Melrose that was donated to Centralia High School for their construction trades class to construct a home. He stated that construction is nearing completion and expects the school to put the property up for sale soon. He also noted that plans are underway for another property to be donated to CHS for the same purpose of construction due to the success of the program for the students.

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 6:25 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/8476