CITY OF BENTON, ILLINOIS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Date: August 10, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers, Basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following results:
• Commissioner Storey — Present
• Commissioner Cockrum — Present
• Commissioner Garavalia — Present
• Commissioner Kays— Present
• Mayor Messersmith — Absent
Mayor Messersmith’s absence was later noted as due to a family obligation (moving his daughter). In the Mayor’s absence, the meeting was chaired by Commissioner Kays.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the July 27, 2026 meeting were presented by Commissioner Kays. One correction was noted: a name was corrected to read “Elizabeth Garrett.” A motion was made to approve the minutes as corrected by Commissioner Kays. Second by Commissioner Cockrum. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
3. Public Comment
Commissioner Kays opened the floor for public comment, with a reminder that speakers should approach the podium, state their name for the record, and limit remarks to five minutes.
Citizen Comment
Tom Carter
Mr. Carter addressed the Council regarding the City’s home-rule one percent sales tax and its use for water infrastructure, the transfer of funds between the sewer plant and water accounts, and the City’s recent hiring of a grant writer, treasurer, and water superintendent. Mr. Carter raised concerns regarding the early retirement of the former water superintendent, stating that his departure left the City facing EPA non-compliance issues and a potential fine of approximately $600,000.00, and stated that the current water superintendent has since established a compliance plan with the EPA. The speaker referenced documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from IMRF regarding projected cost offsets from staffing/salary reductions, and questioned pay increases associated with the former water superintendent’s final year of employment. The speaker urged the Council to bring such costs to the public before they are voted on.
John Owens
Mr. Owens referenced an ongoing matter involving a City employee that began in March, stating that no City policy currently governs the underlying issue. He acknowledged Commissioner Kays for placing the creation of a budget officer policy, grant management policy, purchase order ordinance, and property management policies on the evening’s agenda. Mr. Owens stated that the City still lacks a written policy or ordinance governing employee donations, noting that his FOIA request on the subject returned only a state statute rather than a City policy, and stated that another individual’s FOIA request on the same subject was answered before his own. He requested that the Council adopt clear policies before taking disciplinary action in the matter he referenced.
Rocky Morris
Mr. Morris stated agreement with Mr. Owens’s comments regarding the need for written policies. He also raised questions on behalf of the public regarding drinking water safety, asking whether the City’s water supply is currently tested and in compliance with EPA standards, whether residents should use water filters, and noted recent reports of tampering with water system infrastructure. He asked the Council to keep water safety, particularly as it affects schools and nursing homes, as a priority.
Commissioner Don Storey (Speaking as a Private Citizen)
Commissioner Storey asked to address the Council from the podium as a private citizen. The Commissioner asked whether the Council had ever voted to authorize an investigation and asked Commissioner Garavalia whether she was aware of any investigation; Commissioner Kays stated that no investigation was underway. The Commissioner expressed the view that unspecified individuals were seeking to bring an unfounded felony allegation against the Fire Chief and stated strong support for the Fire Chief.
John Owens (continued)
Mr. Owens returned to the podium to address a personnel practice within the Fire Department that had reportedly been reviewed. He stated that the practice in question predated the current administration and had continued under several prior fire chiefs (naming former Chiefs Mickey Marshall, Gary Casper, and Sean Ferris, and interim chief D.T. Richardson, each now deceased), and that no funds were found missing. He stated that the matter had been reviewed by the Illinois State Police and the State’s Attorney’s Office, and that the State’s Attorney found no criminal wrongdoing or intent and filed no charges.
No further public comment was offered.
4. Property Report – Commissioner Storey
No items were reported.
5. Commissioner Cockrum — Water, Sewer, Streets, and Improvements
Commissioner Cockrum reported no purchase orders or lake lot lease matters for consideration. He presented three pool adjustment applications:
• 128 Highway 37, Benton
• 611 East Gardner Street
• 229 East Claysburg Street
A motion was made to approve the pool adjustment applications as presented by Commissioner Cockrum. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
Commissioner Cockrum also presented a resolution supporting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the East Webster and East Main water line project. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion to approve the resolution. Second was made by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
6. Commissioner Garavalia — Public Safety (Police and Fire)
Commissioner Garavalia reported no purchase orders. She noted the City is continuing discussions with West City regarding fire department matters and is awaiting a response following contact with West City’s attorney. There were no updates on the new fire apparatus.
Flock Safety Camera Policy
Commissioner Garavalia introduced discussion of the City’s use of Flock Safety automated license-plate-reader cameras and the associated department policy. She spoke in support of the technology, describing its use in locating missing and endangered persons and its broader public-safety value, and introduced Benton Police Chief Chris Funkhauser to present the policy.
Chief Funkhouser reported that the Benton Police Department has operated Flock cameras for approximately one year, with four cameras on main routes into the City and one at Benton Community Park (the latter paid for by the park). He explained that the cameras photograph vehicle license plates only — they do not record video or audio, do not store vehicle registration information, and images are automatically deleted after 30 days. He described uses including missing-person and Silver Alert Kays, stolen-vehicle recovery, and investigative leads for crimes such as homicide and sexual assault, and stated the system does not perform facial recognition and does not access driver identity without a separate LEADS/NCIC query. He noted that under Illinois law, Flock data may not be shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or used for surveillance of reproductive health clinics.
Chief Funkhouser provided an audit of Flock searches conducted between July 8 and August 8, 2026: 10 searches related to sex offenses, 6 for welfare checks, 4 for missing/endangered persons, 2 for wanted persons, 2 for criminal damage to property, and 2 for reckless driving complaints; he noted that many searches did not return results because only a vehicle description, rather than a license plate, was available.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Chief Funkhouser’s recommendation and moved by Commissioner Garavalia to adopt the Flock Safety camera policy as reviewed by the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 3. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, and Commissioner Garavalia. Nays: 1. Commissioner Kays. The motion carried.
Incident Totals
Commissioner Garavalia reported the following incident totals for the prior month: Fire Department — 119 incidents (compared to 92 the previous month); Police Department — 679 calls for service (compared to 677 the previous month).
Commissioner Garavalia — Statement Regarding Public Comment and Department Morale
Commissioner Garavalia made an extended statement responding to public comments made at this and the prior meeting regarding an alleged internal investigation and allegations directed at a Fire Department employee. She stated she was not aware of any internal investigation, that she has not been contacted by the Attorney General’s office, and that, to her knowledge, the Illinois State Police investigated the underlying matter and referred it to the State’s Attorney’s Office, which found no wrongdoing. She stated she has consistently voted her convictions as a Commissioner, described disciplining employees earlier in her term for performing personal vehicle work inside a City building, and clarified that she has made no negative statements regarding former City Treasurer Lisa Meno. She called for improved communication among Commissioners regarding department-level meetings and decisions, and stated her support for allowing the City’s incoming financial audit to identify and recommend any needed corrective actions rather than pursuing further public dispute over the matter.
Further Commissioner Discussion
Commissioner Storey, who had earlier spoken as a private citizen (see Section 3), responded, stating that the Council had previously voted on the matter (three in favor, one opposed, one abstaining) and questioning whether contact with the Attorney General’s office required a full Council vote. Mr. Owens, from the audience, asked the same question. Rocky Morris stated he had witnessed a related exchange outside a prior meeting and asked that the matter be allowed to conclude. No formal motion was made on this discussion, and the Council moved to the next agenda item.
7. Finance – Commissioner Kays
A payroll dated August 14, 2026, totaling $108,757.86 ($84,088.30 from the General Fund and $24,669.56 from the Revenue Fund), was presented. A motion was made by Commissioner Kays to approve the payroll as presented. Second by Commissioner Cockrum. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
An accounts-payable bill run totaling $540,474.91 ($533,784.32 from the AP Fund and $6,690.59 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund) was presented. A motion was made by Commissioner Kays to approve the bill run as presented. Second by Commissioner Cockrum. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
C. Storage Solution — 1403 South Main Street
The Council discussed the need to sell the building at 1403 South Main Street and relocate items currently stored there, including historic items reported to be at risk of damage. A cost comparison was presented showing that continuing to maintain the current building would cost approximately $34,000–$35,000 over three years in utilities alone, not including additional maintenance costs. A motion was made by Commissioner Kays to proceed with “Option A”: two climate-controlled 8-by-20 storage containers over a three-year term, to be placed on the south side of the lagoon on Stuyvesant. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
It was noted that current City ordinance restricts the use of storage containers within City limits, which may require either an ordinance amendment or storing the containers outside City limits. It was also noted that the Fire Department had previously requested similar containers for the training center but was denied under the existing policy; the Council agreed to place a policy amendment for Fire Department storage containers on a future agenda for discussion.
D. Budget Officer Ordinance
The Council discussed beginning the process of drafting a budget officer ordinance (the City has previously adopted the related state statute), including duties and compensation. A motion was made by Commissioner Cockrum to begin the ordinance-drafting process. Second by Commissioner Storey. Vote was taken. Yeas: 4. Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, and Commissioner Kays. Nays: 0. The motion carried.
E. Grant Management Policy Handbook
A proposed grant management policy handbook (approximately 50 pages) was presented, intended to bring the City into compliance with GATA and GASB requirements, formalize internal controls, and reduce the risk of late-audit-related delays in state payments. A motion was made to approve the grant management policy handbook. The motion carried.
F. Purchase Order Ordinance
The Council discussed opening the City’s purchase order ordinance for future amendment to allow purchases within an approved project scope (e.g., a bid project with a defined scope of work) without requiring a separate purchase order for each item, without changing the current dollar threshold. No amendment language was adopted at this meeting. A motion was made to authorize opening the ordinance for future amendment. The motion carried.
G. Fixed Asset and Property Management Policy
A motion was made to amend the City’s Fixed Asset and Property Management Policy to align with current GASB and GATA regulations. The motion carried.
9. Public Affairs / Administrative Update
The Council received an update in the Mayor’s absence: road work on Bailey Lane at Route 14 is expected to be completed in November; the summer road program is in the preparation phase this week with work expected to begin next week, per Public Works Director Dallas Richardson; the Back to School Block Party was reported as a success, with thanks extended to volunteers; and a property at 404 South Commercial was reported cleaned up following coordinated action by the Code Enforcement, Fire, and Police Departments and Public Works (illegal burns, securing possession of the property, confirming the property was vacant, and demolition of the structure).
10. Purchase Orders
A purchase order to Ascend Aviation for 2,963 gallons of aviation fuel for resale at the Benton airport, totaling $17,180.33, was presented. A motion was made to approve the purchase order. The motion carried.
A purchase order for sound equipment (multiple vendors, including Amazon, Grainger, and Sweetwater), totaling $5,605.86, was presented, intended to eliminate the City’s recurring cost of renting sound equipment for events. Following discussion — including a suggestion to instead purchase locally from Front Row Center Music Store on North Main Street — the purchase order was held pending further review of local sourcing options. No vote was taken.
11. Special Use Permit — 403 North Stotler Street
A request for a special use permit to allow placement of a manufactured (double-wide) home in an R-3 zoning district at 403 North Stotler Street was presented, along with site photographs and a site plan confirming compliance with zoning requirements. The Zoning and Planning Commission met on August 5, 2026, and unanimously recommended approval. A motion was made to approve the special use permit. The motion carried.
12. Acceptance of Bids — Property Cleanup
Following confirmation by the Street and Water Departments that a structure was uninhabitable, a motion was made to accept bids for cleanup/demolition, to be opened at a future meeting. The motion carried.
13. Miscellaneous Business
Commissioner Garavalia asked that the Council collaborate on developing a fundraising/donation policy. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their support of the Back to School Block Party (its fourth year), reporting that approximately 350 backpacks with school supplies were distributed to the community, with remaining surplus supplies to be donated to area schools. She also inquired about fencing materials previously donated [by an organization transcribed as “the housewives” — see note]; Commissioner [Cockrum/Story — see note] reported that only fence slats remain in storage at the old water barn, with no 4-by-4 posts, per information from Craig Miles. Commissioner Garavalia also thanked City departments for their support with trash and portable-restroom services for the Back to School Block Party.
14. Old Business / New Business
A Commissioner inquired about public interest in the Council releasing information discussed in executive session. The City Attorney advised that the matter was not on that evening’s agenda.
15. Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn. The motion carried on a roll call vote of Story, Cockrum, Garavalia, and Kays.
