Continued City Council Meeting Minutes – July 17, 2026

MINUTES OF THE CONTINUED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Continuation of the Regularly Scheduled Meeting of Monday, July 13, 2026

Friday, July 17, 2026 — 9:00 A.M.

Campbell Building, 901 Public Square, Benton, Illinois

Call to Order

Mayor Messersmith called the continued city council meeting to order, noting the meeting was a continuation of the regularly scheduled meeting from Monday, July 13, 2026. All city council members were present.

Commissioner Storey made a motion to continue the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Garavalia.

Vote: Yeas – 5 (Storey, Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.

Roll Call

All City Council members were present: Commissioner Storey, Commissioner Cockrum, Commissioner Garavalia, Commissioner Kays, and Mayor Messersmith.

Purpose of Continued Meeting

Mayor Messersmith stated the continued meeting was called for the purpose of approving bills and turning that matter over to Commissioner Kays.

Accounts and Finance – Commissioner Kays

Commissioner Kays acknowledged that council access had been limited due to a high volume of FOIA requests received during the week. He commended City Clerk Brook Craig and Treasurer John Daugherty for their work in both preparing the bills and responding to the requests. Commissioner Kays noted his belief that most of those requests were filed at taxpayer expense.

Commissioner Kays presented bills totaling $550,006.26, broken down as follows: $535,157.06 from the AP Fund; $750.00 from TIF; and $14,099.27 from MFT. Commissioner Kays made the motion to approve the bills as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Garavalia.

Vote: Yeas – 5 (Storey, Cockrum, Garavalia, Kays, Messersmith); Nays – 0. Motion carried.

Discussion – Vehicle Purchase Agreement

Prior to adjournment, Commissioner Garavalia requested that Mayor Messersmith follow through with signing the vehicle purchase agreement. She explained that an intent to purchase had been sent, that McQueen had pulled the truck off the line and was holding it, resulting in a savings of approximately $30,000. She noted the purchase had been approved unanimously by the Council and that the purchase agreement remained unsigned, leaving McQueen in limbo.

Mayor Messersmith acknowledged the situation. Commissioner Garavalia asked whether the agreement could be sent promptly. Mayor Messersmith indicated he felt he was in the middle of a back-and-forth and expressed some frustration, but agreed it was a matter the Council should address and that it should be signed in due time.

Commissioner Storey stated the agreement needed to be sent to McQueen as soon as possible. Mayor Messersmith stated he understood.