It took about 18 minutes Tuesday night for Carmi City Council to spend about $300,000, much of it through NEU Funds (non – entitlement units of government or defined by the American Rescue Plan Act as local governments typically serving less than 50,000 people), IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) loan, IDOT reimbursement, or Motor Fuel Tax funds. Many of the pay requests approved Tuesday surround infrastructure improvements including water system improvements, sanitary sewer and watermain replacement, and engineering for grant submittal.
The only motion that didn’t pass and unanimously at that Tuesday was Christmas bonuses for city employees though not because anyone was opposed. Alderwoman Lacey Bradshaw says she doesn’t think the $60 base plus $5 per year of service for full time employees is enough.
“Personally, I’m not spending our money, but I just don’t think that’s enough. I really don’t. I mean, it’s been $60 for 15 years. It’s been $60 since I worked here starting in 2009. I mean, seriously, I just don’t think it’s enough. I think it needs to be at least $100 and then do your $5 or $10 a year after that, but that’s just me.”
Alderman Steve Winkleman would speak up and ask how much it was going to cost at the current rate. Nobody knew. Ultimately, the council would decide to table the motion so they could see what the financial impact would be and plan to vote on it at the next meeting.
In standing committees, Winkleman alerted his fellow council members that landscaping had been done at the library. Tracy Nelson asked about a street repair near the Jessup/Kerney intersection and was told it was “on the list”.
Council would recess into Executive Session to discuss personnel at 5:48pm with no action to follow. The Carmi Council will gather for their second November meeting on November 21st at 5:30pm.
