MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY JANUARY 12, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE CAMPBELL BUILDING LOCATED AT 901 PUBLIC SQUARE, BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED CITY CLERK BROOK CRAIG TO TAKE ROLL. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT MINUTES WERE PLACED IN ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS PACKETS. HE STATED THAT ON PAGE THREE, THERE’S A STATEMENT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING TO DECEMBER 12TH TO PAY THE BILLS AND THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED. OTHER THAN THAT, THERE’S NO OTHER CHANGES. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH THE CHANGE NOTED ABOVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
UNDER PUBLIC PROPERTY REPORT, COMMISSIONER STOREY STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS FOR THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00580 TO MCCOLLUM ELECTRIC FOR REPAIR OF THE DECORATIVE LIGHTING ON MAPLE STREET NOT TO EXCEED $7,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NO POOL ADJUSTMENTS OR LAKE LOT LEASES FOR APPROVAL.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEM (B), REGARDING METER WARRANTIES, FOR NOW. HE STATED THAT HE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WILL BE LOOKING INTO THIS A LITTLE FARTHER BEFORE WE ACTUALLY APPROVE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED A COST ESTIMATE ON THE SEWER MAIN PROJECT ON CARTER DRIVE. HE STATED THAT WE’VE GOT A NEW BUSINESS COMING IN ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE SQUARE AND WE’RE TRYING TO GET PREPARED FOR IT. IN YOUR BOX, YOU’LL SEE A COST ESTIMATE THAT OUR ENGINEERS PUT TOGETHER. AND IT’S ONLY A COST ESTIMATE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH SEEKING BIDS FOR THIS PROJECT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE CITY HAD HIRED A PART-TIME PERSON FOR OUR WATER DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT BILLS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HER EMPLOYMENT HAS NOT WORKED OUT AND HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TERMINATE CANDY ARMSTRONG AT THIS TIME. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THE STORM SIREN BY THE GRADE SCHOOL HAS GONE DOWN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE QUOTE FROM NOVACOM COMMUNICATIONS TO REPLACE THE STORM SIRE IN THE AMOUNT OF $35.999.99. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A CALL REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 605 CALLS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 133 INCIDENTS. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE WILL START PUTTING THESE REPORTS OUT ON THE TABLE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN LOOK AT THEM AS THEY COME IN, NOT TO TAKE, BUT JUST TO LOOK AT. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT YOU CAN SEE THAT OUR MEN HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN BUSY OUT THERE.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR THE JANUARY 2, 2026 TOTALING $112,858.88 WITH $84,224.54 OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND $28,634.31 OUT OF THE WATER AND SEWER REVENUE FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS TOTALING $469,679.25 WITH $467,515.47 OUT OF THE AP FUND, $691.28 OUT OF MOTOR FUEL TAX, $736.25 OUT OF IJRL TIF FUND, AND $736.25 OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN TIF FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE WANTED TO DISCUSS ITEM 7C, DISCUSSION AND OR APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT HAS BEEN LOOSELY TALKED ABOUT SINCE HE HAS COME ON THE COUNCIL AND HE STATED THAT WE’RE GOING TO PUT ACTION TOGETHER. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT, TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT IT, AND TIRED OF THE PANDERING. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THIS HAS DIRECTLY TO DO WITH OUR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO MORE MINIMUM WAGE SLIDING SCALE FOR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS GOING FORWARD. HE STATED THAT THEY WILL BE PAID MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE. SO AS MINIMUM WAGE GOES, THIS RACE WILL BASICALLY BE OUT IN FRONT OF THEM GOING FORWARD. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE IS OPEN TO DISCUSSION, BUT THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE PAY THEM $3 AN HOUR MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE GOING FORWARD. COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF ANYBODY HAD ANY OBJECTIONS PR ANY DISCUSSION PIECES TO THAT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH SAID THAT HE HAD TALKED WITH COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ABOUT THIS LINES UP BY THE WAY THIS LINES UP PERFECTLY WITH WHAT HE WAS THINKING. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE FEELS LIKE THE COUNCIL SHOULD PUT TOGETHER A PAID ON-CALL EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES WHAT TRAINING IS, WHAT CLOTHING ALLOWANCE IS, AND INCLUDING THIS PAY SO THAT ANYONE CURRENT OR NEW THAT COMES ON HAS A COMPLETE PACKAGE TO LOOK THROUGH. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RAISING THE COMPENSATION FOR OUR PAID ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS TO $3 AN HOUR MORE THAN THE PREVAILING MINIMUM WAGE GOING FORWARD. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE LAST ITEM HE HAS IS (7D) MODIFICATION OF INTENT TO RETIRE. HE STATED THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH OUR BILLING CLERK, MELISSA HUNGATE. SHE IS GOING TO SHIFT HER RETIREMENT DATE UP. THIS STILL FALLS WITHIN THE INCENTIVE FOR THE INSURANCE. HER NEW RETIREMENT DATE WILL BE MARCH 9TH.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT HER MODIFIED RETIREMENT DATE OF MARCH 9TH. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE ATTORNEY IS NOT HERE THIS EVENING AND SO THERE ARE NO UPDATES UNDER HIM.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS ABOUT HOW DO WE PUT TOGETHER A MASTER CALENDAR FOR THE CITY. HE STATED THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AN UPCOMING MEETING TO BE ABLE TO BRING ALL THE DIFFERENT GROUPS, YOUR ELKS, YOUR VOLUNTEERS, YOUR CHAMBERS, AND THOSE, TO ALL GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND PLAN THAT OUT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED LOOKING AT A 250TH CELEBRATION, BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? COULD THAT HAPPEN AROUND 4TH OF JULY? COULD THAT HAPPEN IN SEPTEMBER? MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON PLANS FOR 2026 AND, FORTUNATELY, JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TEND TO BE SLOW MONTHS, SO IT GIVES US A LITTLE MORE TIME TO PLAN.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE DOES HAVE A COUPLE OF PURCHASE ORDERS THIS EVENING. HE STATED THAT WITH MOVING PEOPLE AROUND AND SHIFTING PEOPLE AROUND, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAS ASKED IS THAT OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR BE OFFICED HERE AND NOT AT THE SEWER PLANT. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BECAUSE HE THINK THAT THERE’S SOME PIECES THAT ARE MISSING AND HIM BEING ISOLATED OUT THERE MAKES IT HARD SOMETIMES TO GET THINGS DONE LIKE WE WANT TO. THE MAYOR STATED THAT HE HAD ALSO GIVEN HIS OFFICE UP FOR DAMIEN AS THE DEPUTY CLERK AND GRANT WRITER SO THAT HE HAS HIS OWN SPACE. BECAUSE OF THIS, MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WOULD ALSO BE NEEDING AN OFFICE. HE STATED THAT HE HAD PUT TOGETHER AN ESTIMATE OF MATERIALS TO PUT TWO MORE OFFICES IN THE COUNCIL ROOM AND ADJUST THE SPACE OF THIS ROOM TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OFFICE FOR DAILUS AND AN OFFICE FOR HIMSELF. HE STATED THAT THE MATERIALS SHOULD BE LESS THAN THIS, BUT NOT TO EXCEED $1,200. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THE MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HIS SECOND PURCHASE ORDER IS FOR VERIZON WIRELESS. HE STATED THAT DAILUS RICHARDSON AND HE WENT LAST WEEK TO MEET WITH THEM. DAILUS NEEDS A NEW PHONE AS THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, WHICH WILL ASSIGN HIM A NEW NUMBER, AND ADDITIONALLY, IN ORDER TO DO THE JULIE MARKINGS LIKE WE NEED TO, WE NEED TWO TABLETS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE CELLULAR ATTACHED TO THEM SO THEY CAN DO THINGS IN THE FIELD, GENERATE REPORTS BASED ON THE NEW JULIE RECOMMENDATIONS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, CALEB, IS ON AN AT&T PLAN. HE STATED THAT AT&T IS NOT BAD, BUT IT DOES NOT WORK IN THIS BUILDING AND SO HE’S NOT ABLE TO USE THE PHONE AS HE NEEDS TO USE THE PHONE AND SO WE NEED TO MOVE HIM OVER TO VERIZON MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT WE WILL SAVE SOME MONEY ON THE AT&T SIDE WHEN WE CANCEL THAT CONTRACT AND WE ARE ALSO GOING TO SAVE SOME MONEY ON THE VERIZON SIDE. THE PURCHASE ORDER SAYS “NOT TO EXCEED $500”, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO BE ABOUT $263 OR IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE LESS THAN THAT. COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH VERIZON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY HAS RECEIVED A REQUIRED FOR A COMIC-CON SPONSORSHIP. THIS EVENT HAS GROWN EVERY YEAR AND THE CITY HAS SPONSORED IT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THEY APPROACHED THE CITY AND ASKED IF THE CITY WOULD BE WILLING TO PARTNER AGAIN? THE VENT SAW OVER 1,000 PEOPLE GO THROUGH THE CIVIC CENTER LAST YEAR IN ONE DAY AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW EVERY YEAR. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE BELIEVES THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE CITY FROM A TOURISM STANDPOINT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BRINGING PEOPLE INTO BENTON, EATING, GETTING GAS, AND KIND OF GETTING THEM EXPOSED TO WHAT BENTON IS LIKE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DO A $500.00 SPONSORSHIP. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOREY. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY REQUESTING A DONATION OF $500.00 OR ANY OTHER AMOUNT, FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW AMERICAN FLAGS. THESE FLAGS ARE THAT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OUR CHEERLEADER GROUP GO AND PUT THE FLAGS OUT AND THEN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HELPS PICK THEM UP EVERY YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN SOME WEATHERING AND AGING OF THE FLAGS AND SO THEY HAVE EVERY YEAR THEY HAVE A NEED TO GET NEW FLAGS. THE LETTER STATED THAT LAST YEAR THEY HAD TO SPEND $400.00 TO REPLACE FLAGS. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WONDERED IF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION, WHICH WE’VE DONE IN YEARS PAST, TO SUPPORT THEM FOR THE FLAGS. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE IS NOT AGAINST IT, HE JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT. HE STATED THAT OVER THE YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THE ELKS DID IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS; STORED THEM, BOUGHT THEM, ASKED FOR DONATIONS. HE STATED THAT THE ELKS GOT TIRED OF DOING IT AND THEN THE AMERICAN LEGION TOOK IT OVER, AND NOW THE CHEERLEADERS ARE DOING IT. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE THING AND IT HAS BEEN SHARED THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY. HE STATED THAT THEY DO GET TORN AND THEY DO GET TATTERED BY THE WIND. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE THINKS IT IS WONDERFUL THAT FLAGS ARE PUT OUT AND HE WANTED TO MAKE THE MOTION TO DONATE $400.00.
COMMISSIONER KAYS ASKED IF COMMISSIONER COCKRUM COULD PULL HIS MOTION AS THE LETTER HAD ASKED FOR $500.00 IN THE OPENING PARAGRAPH AS A REQUEST. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM STATED THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN THAT AND WOULD WITHDRAW HIS MOTION.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE DONATING $500.00 TO THE AMERICAN LEGION LADIES AUXILIARY FOR FLAGS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
IN MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS FROM THE COUNCIL, COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE HAD JUST A COUPLE OF UPDATES FROM FINANCE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN A COUPLE OF INFORMATION PACKETS REGARDING POTENTIAL AUDITING TERMS. HE STATED THAT HE IS GOING TO GO THROUGH THEM TONIGHT FOR AUDITING SERVICES. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE ARE LESS THAN THRILLED WITH ATLAS AND THE TARDINESS AND HOT WATER THEY HAVE PUT THE CITY IN WITH THE CONSISTENT LATENESS THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND THE FACT THAT THEY JUST DON’T DELIVER ON TIME. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT IT GETS TIRING AND THE CITY CAN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT GETTING AN AUDIT BACK ON TIME FROM THEM. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THE CITY GETS THEM ALL THE INFORMATION AND THEY DEPART HERE JUST LIKE THEY NORMALLY WOULD, BUT THAT THE CITY JUST DOES NOT GET OUR AUDIT BACK UNTIL AFTER DEADLINES FROM THE STATE. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WE HAVE HIRED AN IN-HOUSE GRANT ADMINISTRATOR AND THE AUDIT BECOMES SUBSTANTIALLY MORE IMPORTANT WHEN YOU’RE STARTING WITH GRANT FUNDS. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE ON THE NEXT AGENDA, AS WELL AS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE EITHER IN THE NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER MEETING ABOUT ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN FINANCE AND NEW STANDARDS CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE JUST WITH GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD AND GAAP. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME ADDITIONAL TRAININGS THAT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IN ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE UP TO SNUFF AGAIN.
NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC
COMMISSIONER STOREY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 5. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER KAYS, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:15 P.M.
