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AGENDA

 BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON

MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2026

5:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

5. PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT                 COMMISSIONER STOREY
6. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
7. UPDATES

5.  WATER, SEWER, STREETS & IMPROVEMENTS                                   COMMISSIONER COCKRUM
6. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
7. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFERS
8.     APPROVAL OF POOL ADJUSTMENTS
9. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A CDBG RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR EAST WEBSTER WATER

                LINE      

6. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT                                 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA
7. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS/UPDATES/DEPARTMENT REPORTS
8. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS/FLOCK SYSTEM POLICY

AND PROCEDURES

7. ACCOUNTS & FINANCE REPORT                                 COMMISSIONER KAYS
8. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL
9. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS/MONTHLY BILLS
10. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF A LONG-TERM STORAGE SOLUTION FOR CITY HALL ITEMS
11. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF CREATING A BUDGET OFFICER ORDINANCE
12. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE GRANT MANAGEMENT POLICY BOOK
13. DISCUSISON AND/OR APPROVAL OF AMENDING THE PURCHASE ORDER ORDINANCE

8. CITY ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH
9. UPDATES

9. PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT                                 MAYOR MESSERSMITH
10. UPDATES
11. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
12. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL THE APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT BY VIRGINIA CHINN TO OWN AND OCCUPY A NEW DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME LOCATED AT 403 NORTH STOTLAR STREET
13. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO ACCEPT BIDS TO DEMOLISH THE FORMER RESIDENCE LOCATED AT 404 SOUTH COMMERCIAL STREET

10. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

11. OLD BUSINESS

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION
14. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACQUISITION AND/OR SALE OF REAL ESTATE                                                  
15. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PENDING LITIGATIONS
16. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION,

DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE

PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY, INCLUDING HEARING

TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC

BODY OR AGAINST LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE

ITS VALIDITY.

 AMENDED AGENDA

 BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026

5:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

4. PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT                 COMMISSIONER STOREY
5. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
6. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PUBLIC USE OF CITY PROPERTY
7. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ACCEPTANCE OF 2026 MOWER RESIGNATION
8. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ACCEPTING A NEW MOWING BID FOR THE CITY OF BENTON

5. WATER, SEWER, STREETS & IMPROVEMENTS                                                   COMMISSIONER COCKRUM
6. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
7.     APPROVAL OF POOL/LEAK ADJUSTMENTS
8. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER(S)
9. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF HIRING OF SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES

6. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT                                 COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA
7. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS/UPDATES/DEPARTMENT REPORTS 
8. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE THE MERIT BOARD TO PREPARE A PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER CANDIDATE FOR HIRE
9. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF 60 DAY APPOINTMENT OF A FIREFIGHTER
10. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SAFETY STIPEND FOR PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS
11. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH WEST CITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
12. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE ACTION ITEMS

7. ACCOUNTS & FINANCE REPORT                                 COMMISSIONER KAYS
8. APPROVAL OF PAYROLL
9. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS/MONTHLY BILLS
10. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MEETING START TIME ORDINANCE

8. CITY ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH
9. UPDATES

9. PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT                                 MAYOR MESSERSMITH
10. UPDATES
11. APPROVAL OF PURCHASE ORDERS
12. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SETTING COMPENSATION FOR BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
13. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH PERRY ENVIRONMENTAL FOR LUST INCIDENT
14. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ENFORCING ILLEGAL BURN ORDINANCE

10. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

11. OLD BUSINESS

12. NEW BUSINESS

13. MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
15. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACQUISITION AND/OR SALE OF REAL ESTATE                                                  
16. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PENDING LITIGATIONS
17. DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION,

DISCIPLINE, PERFORMANCE, OR DISMISSAL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES OF THE

PUBLIC BODY OR LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY, INCLUDING HEARING

TESTIMONY ON A COMPLAINT LODGED AGAINST AN EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC

BODY OR AGAINST LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE PUBLIC BODY TO DETERMINE

ITS VALIDITY.

City of Benton

Regular City Council Meeting

January 26, 2026 – 6:00 PM
City Hall,

901 Public Square,

Benton, Illinois 62812

1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance

Mayor Messersmith called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Roll Call

A quorum was present.

3. Approval of Minutes
4. January 12, 2026 – Regular Meeting

Corrections noted by Commissioner Kays:

• Item B was tabled for meter warranty.
• Typographical correction: “minimum wage rate,” not “race.”

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to approve minutes as amended.
Second: Commissioner Cockrum

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

1. January 23, 2026 – Special Meeting

Corrections noted by Commissioner Kays:

• “Case” corrected to Commissioner Kays.
• Agenda Item 3: seconded by Commissioner Storey.
• Adjournment vote corrected to unanimous.

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to approve minutes as amended.
Second: Commissioner Cockrum

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

4. Department Reports

Streets & Improvements – Commissioner Cockrum

Purchase Order #00243:
Replacement of six grader tires from Best One Tire (Marion).

• Amount: Not to exceed $8,689

Motion: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve purchase order #00243

Second:  Commissioner Storey.

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

Water Department – Commissioner Cockrum

Hiring of Billing Clerk

• Employee: Amy Greenwood
• Position: Full-time Billing Clerk
• Effective Date: January 27, 2026
• Wage: $22.00/hour

Motion: Commissioner Cockrum moved to approve this hire.

Second:  Commissioner Storey

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

(Pay resolution to be presented at February meeting.)

5. Fire Department – Commissioner Garavalia

Billing Services

Council discussed entering a one-year agreement for a third-party billing service to collect hazmat and fire-related reimbursements.

Motion: In the absence of Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Storey moved to approve the agreement with PA Fire Recovery Services for hazmat billing.

Second:  Commissioner Cockrum

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

6. Finance – Commissioner Kays
7. Payroll Approval

Payroll Date: January 30, 2026
Total: $112,335.37

• General Fund: $82,626.09
• Revenue Fund: $27,570.88
• On-Call Firefighters: $2,318.40

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to approve payroll for January 30, 2026.

Second:  Commissioner Storey. 

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

1. Training & Travel Budget – GFOA Conference

Council reviewed a corrective action plan from the audit requiring increased training under GASB standards.

Conference: Government Finance Officers Association
Location: Chicago
Dates: June 25 – July 1, 2026
Attendees:

• John Dougherty (City Treasurer)
• Damien Wilburn (Grant Administrator)

Cost: Approx. $3,200 per employee (includes pre-conference)

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to approve travel and training.

Second:  Commissioner Cockrum

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

7. Discussion & Approval – City Administrator Process

Commissioner Kays presented a proposal to begin the process of researching and developing a centralized City Administrator position, noting:

• Increased efficiency
• Improved continuity
• Centralized operations
• Better staff support

Commissioner Storey stated that he had done some research on the internet regarding the position of a city administrator.  He stated that the average salary is $103,000.00.  Commissioner Storey stated that this position seems to be a “mayor’s assistant”.  Commissioner Storey stated that this council has 16 months left and he does not think anything should be changed at this point.  Commissioner Kays asked Commissioner Storey if the council should just quit working for the next 16 months.  Commissioner Storey stated that he does not believe anything should change in this term. 

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to begin the process of hiring a City Administrator.

Second:  Commissioner Cockrum

Vote:

Motion passed (3–1).

8. Public Affairs & Community Recognition

Mayor Messersmith thanked Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments for their response to severe winter weather conditions.

9. Performing Arts Boosters – Twin Oaks Request

Request: Christina Neff, Current Performing Arts Boosters President, requested the use of Twin Oaks for annual gala fundraiser.
Date: March 27, 2026

Funds support student scholarships and band programs.

Motion: Commissioner Kays moved to approve this request.

Second:  Commissioner Cockrum

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

10. Old Business – Pension Fund Update

Commissioner Kays reported:

• Fire Pension Fund: 84.52% funded
• Police Pension Fund: 82.26% funded
• Both on track to reach 90% funding by 2040.

Commissioner Kays stated that both pensions are very healthy.  Commissioner Storey asked if Finance Commissioner Kays had offered $250,00.00 to each pension fund.  Commissioner Kays stated that he and City Treasurer John Daugherty have been in talks about doing this to boost the funds for approximately three to five months. 

11. New Business

None.

12. Public Comments

None.

13. Adjournment

Motion: Commissioner Storey moved to adjourn.

Second:  Commissioner Cockrum.

Yeas:  4

Nays:  0

Vote: Unanimous

5:32 PM.

Benton Municipal Airport Advisory Committee

Wednesday Nov. 12th, 2025

5:00 PM Airport Terminal Building

1.Call Meeting to Order

2.Accept/Discuss Last Meeting Minutes

3.Old Business

4.New Business

     1. Airport Updates

5. Public Comments

6. Adjourn