MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED MEETING
BENTON CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
The continued meeting of the Benton City Council convened on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Room of Benton City Hall, located in the basement of the Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois 62812.
Present: Mayor Messersmith; Commissioner Storey; Commissioner Cockrum; Commissioner Kays; Commissioner Garavalia (present at the start of the meeting).
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Messersmith stated that a motion and a second were needed to return to open session. Commissioner Cockrum moved to return to regular session. Commissioner Kays seconded the motion. A vote was taken: Yeas: 5 – Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
MOTION TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Messersmith stated that a motion was needed to go back into executive session. Commissioner Cockrum made the motion. Commissioner Kays seconded the motion. A vote was taken: Yeas: 5 – Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
The Council recessed into executive session at 9:06 a.m. and reconvened in open session at 10:24 a.m.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Messersmith stated that a motion and a second were needed to return to open session. Commissioner Garavalia did not return to regular session. Commissioner Cockrum moved to return to regular session. Commissioner Kays seconded the motion. A vote was taken: Yeas: 4 – Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Messersmith stated that, coming out of executive session, no action was being taken at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Kays moved to adjourn. Commissioner Cockrum seconded the motion. A vote was taken: Yeas: 4 – Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 a.m.
