MINUTES OF THE BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Tuesday, June 8, 2026 — 5:00 P.M.
Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois
Call to Order and Roll Call
Mayor Messersmith called the meeting to order and directed roll to be called. Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith were present. Commissioner Garavalia was absent.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Cockrum made a motion to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled council meeting held Monday, May 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 3 (Cockrum, Storey, Messersmith); Nays – 0; Abstain – 1 (Kays). Motion carried.
Public Comment
Tom Carter asked whether the city had confirmed the alley was free of utilities before vacating it. Zoning Administrator Brian Calcaterra assured him this was one of the first steps taken.
Don Taylor asked the Council what steps he would need to take to open a Cajun steak house on property he owns on Church Street. He stated the property is zoned residential but he has paid commercial property taxes on it for almost two decades. Mr. Calcaterra noted he had already advised Mr. Taylor by phone that he would need to apply to have the property rezoned, and that he foresaw no issue with the application being approved.
Public Property Report – Commissioner Storey
Commissioner Storey had no updates.
Commissioner Storey presented Purchase Order No. 902 from FW Plumbing to replace the sump pumps at City Hall (1403 S. Main), totaling $4,796.00. Commissioner Storey made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Storey, Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Storey also briefly noted the Council’s need to determine a use for the building at 1403 S. Main, as it continues to cost more to sit vacant.
Public Property Report – Commissioner Cockrum
Commissioner Cockrum presented Purchase Order No. 904 from Britton Tree Service for tree removal on Lewis Lane, totaling $600.00. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Cockrum presented Purchase Order No. 887 from NewTerra to repair the mixer on the oxidation ditch, totaling $4,184.50. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Cockrum made a motion to approve pool adjustments at the following locations: 1006 S. Commercial, 806 N. McLeansboro, 701 Diamond, 306 N. 8th, 707 S. Lickliter, and 209 Carlton. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Public Health and Safety – City Attorney Malkovich (for Commissioner Garavalia, absent)
City Attorney Tom Malkovich presented the department reports in Commissioner Garavalia’s absence. The Fire Department responded to 103 calls; the Police Department responded to 797 calls.
City Attorney Malkovich presented Purchase Order No. 457 from Fenex Industries for emergency lights on Engine 801, totaling $1,032.60. Commissioner Kays made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Storey, Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
City Attorney Malkovich presented Purchase Order No. 458 from AED.us for new AED batteries, totaling $1,521.00. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
City Attorney Malkovich presented the early renewal agreement with Axon, noting average annual savings of $5,776.00 by renewing early. Commissioner Storey made the motion to approve the early renewal. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
City Attorney Malkovich presented a letter of resignation from Officer Justice Purdie, with a last day of June 18, 2026. Commissioner Storey made the motion to accept the letter. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Accounts and Finance – Commissioner Kays
Commissioner Kays presented the payroll dated June 5, 2026, for approval: $67,448.27 from the General Fund and $17,986.17 from the Revenue Fund, totaling $85,434.44. Commissioner Kays made the motion to approve the payroll. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kays presented Purchase Order No. 903 from Concepte of Illinois for a new block of support hours. Commissioner Kays made the motion to accept the purchase order. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kays presented the monthly bills for approval, totaling $778,296.20, calling attention to several large items including the liability insurance payment and the water bill from Rend Lake Innercity. Commissioner Kays made the motion to accept the monthly bills. Seconded by Commissioner Storey.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kays presented a comparison of new bill minimums under water rate increases ranging from 0% to 6%, explaining that Rend Lake Innercity raised its rates 5% this year and the city would need to match that increase at minimum to break even. Commissioner Kays recommended a 6% increase to stay ahead of other inflationary costs. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion to raise water rates 6%. Seconded by Commissioner Kays.
Vote: Yeas – 3 (Cockrum, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 1 (Storey). Motion carried.
City Attorney
No updates.
Public Affairs – Mayor Messersmith
Mayor Messersmith reminded the public about the Benton Pulse web app and encouraged residents to use it to stay current on events in and around town.
Mayor Messersmith had no purchase orders.
Mayor Messersmith requested a motion to accept the façade grant application from Elizabeth Hernandez for property located at 1101 Public Square. Commissioner Storey made the motion to approve. Seconded by Commissioner Kays.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Messersmith requested a motion to use SCP grant funds to develop city property on Commercial Street into a dog park. Commissioner Kays made the motion to approve the use of SCP funds. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Messersmith requested a motion to vacate a 16-foot alley located in the middle of Mr. Kassebaum’s property. Commissioner Storey made the motion to approve the vacation. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Miscellaneous Business
None.
Old Business
Commissioner Kays acknowledged residents’ dislike of taxes but expressed hope that the next Council could lower property tax rates or water rates if the Council continues to take proper steps.
No further old business.
New Business
None.
Executive Session
None.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Storey. Seconded by Commissioner Cockrum.
Vote: Yeas – 4 (Cockrum, Storey, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
