<\/p>\n
Special City Council Meeting<\/strong> Mayor Messersmith called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n Roll Call:<\/strong><\/p>\n A quorum was present.<\/p>\n Commissioner Cockrum reported on behalf of the hiring committee that five candidates had been interviewed for an open position. The committee\u2019s selected candidate declined the job offer.<\/p>\n Action:<\/strong> Commissioner Case presented a proposal to replace the City\u2019s current auditor (Atlas) with Lauterbach & Ammon LLP<\/strong>, a municipal auditing firm based in Naperville, Illinois.<\/p>\n Key points included:<\/p>\n Atlas has repeatedly failed to deliver audits on time, causing issues with grant compliance and revenue receipts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lauterbach & Ammon specializes in municipal audits and already serves the City\u2019s police and fire pension funds.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Proposed three-year audit contract:<\/p>\n FY 2026: $57,100<\/p>\n<\/li>\n FY 2027: $60,000<\/p>\n<\/li>\n FY 2028: $63,000<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n The City paid Atlas $145,815<\/strong> over the previous two years for late and incomplete audits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Council members and staff emphasized the importance of accurate, timely, and thorough audits, especially as the City pursues more grant funding.<\/p>\n Motion:<\/strong> Vote:<\/strong><\/p>\n Motion passed unanimously.<\/strong><\/p>\n Commissioner Case and City Treasurer John Dougherty presented a proposal for Lauterbach & Ammon<\/strong> to provide accounting and pension administration services for the Benton Fire Pension Fund<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Services include:<\/p>\n Online pension portals for retirees and active members<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Monthly account tracking<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Compliance and reporting to the Illinois Department of Insurance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ongoing verification to prevent improper payments<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Direct support for pensioners<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n It was noted that the City<\/strong> (not the pension fund) would pay for the service. Pension funding levels were discussed, with the City being above the statewide average and on track for required funding targets.<\/p>\n Some concern was raised regarding whether the pension boards had approved the change. Legal counsel had advised that City approval must occur first before pension boards ratify the agreement.<\/p>\n Commissioner Story moved to table<\/strong> the item to allow further discussion with department members. Vote on Motion to Table:<\/strong><\/p>\n Motion to table failed.<\/strong><\/p>\n Commissioner Case moved to approve Lauterbach & Ammon<\/strong> for accounting services for the Benton Fire Pension Fund<\/strong>. Vote:<\/strong><\/p>\n Motion passed (3\u20132).<\/strong><\/p>\n Commissioner Case moved to approve Lauterbach & Ammon<\/strong> for accounting services for the Benton Police Pension Fund<\/strong>. Vote:<\/strong><\/p>\n Motion passed (3\u20132).<\/strong><\/p>\n Commissioner Cockrum moved to adjourn. Vote:<\/strong> Unanimous<\/p>\n The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:26 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" City of Benton Special City Council Meeting January 23, 2026 \u2013 3:00 PM 1. Call to Order Mayor Messersmith called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Roll Call: Official Present Commissioner Cockrum Yes Commissioner Story … Continue reading
\nJanuary 23, 2026 \u2013 3:00 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n1. Call to Order<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \nOfficial<\/th>\n Present<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Commissioner Cockrum<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Commissioner Story<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Commissioner Garavalia<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Commissioner Hayes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mayor Messersmith<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n2. Agenda Item 1 \u2013 Hiring Committee Update<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nNo action was taken. The committee will reconvene to determine next steps.<\/p>\n
\n3. Agenda Item 2 \u2013 Approval of City Auditors<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\nCommissioner Case moved to approve Lauterbach & Ammon LLP<\/strong> as City Auditors for the term April 30, 2026 \u2013 April 30, 2029<\/strong>.
\nSeconded by Commissioner Cockrum.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nMember<\/th>\n Vote<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Cockrum<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Story<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Garavalia<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hayes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mayor Messersmith<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n4. Agenda Item 3 \u2013 Fire Pension Fund Accounting Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Motion to Table<\/h3>\n
\nSeconded by Commissioner Hayes.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nMember<\/th>\n Vote<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Cockrum<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Story<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Garavalia<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Case<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mayor Messersmith<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Final Motion<\/h3>\n
\nSeconded by Commissioner Cockrum.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nMember<\/th>\n Vote<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Cockrum<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Story<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Garavalia<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Case<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mayor Messersmith<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n5. Agenda Item 4 \u2013 Police Pension Fund Accounting Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nSeconded by Commissioner Cockrum.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nMember<\/th>\n Vote<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Cockrum<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Story<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Garavalia<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Case<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mayor Messersmith<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n6. Adjournment<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nSeconded by Commissioner Garavalia.<\/p>\n