City Council Meeting Minutes – January 26, 2026

City of Benton

Regular City Council Meeting

January 26, 2026 – 6:00 PM
City Hall,

901 Public Square,

Benton, Illinois 62812

Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance

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

Roll Call

Official	Present
Commissioner Cockrum	Yes
Commissioner Storey	Yes
Commissioner Garavalia	Absent
Commissioner Kays	Yes
Mayor Messersmith	Yes

A quorum was present.

Approval of Minutes
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

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

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.)

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

Finance – Commissioner Kays
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

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

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:

Member	Vote
Cockrum	Yes
Storey	No
Kays	Yes
Mayor Messersmith	Yes

Motion passed (3–1).

Public Affairs & Community Recognition

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

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

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.