The Charleston City Council voted to approve various ordinances that awarded Tax Increment Financing grants to business owners in the square that would help them fund various renovation projects.

City Manager Scott Smith said this project has been on-going and the recently passed ordinances are a continuation of that project.

Smith said this project is a part of multiple efforts to restore the downtown square.

“I think it will be a nice improvement in those areas,” Smith said.

Those who will receive the grant money are: Mike Ziebka, John Williams, James DiNaso, Bob Murphy, Kathy Jenkins, Todd Cornwell, Tina Grissom and Shi Jie Gao.

During the meeting, Mayor John Inyart said the majority of owners will be paying half the amount of the renovations and the grants provided are the other half of the cost.

The grants cover renovations including new windows, paint, and updating handicap accessibility.

The council also approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Inyart said he had heard feedback from someone about the availability of the budget that was placed on file for public inspection on March 20.

“We did hear one concern about the accessibility of that document,” Inyart said.

The council also approved the ordinance that will increase the water and sewer usage rates. The rates will be raised 41 cents for a 1,000 gallons or fewer, making the new rate $12.06.

The rates will increase depending on water usage and the location of the building.

The council also voted in favor of an ordinance that will raise the ambulance rates within the city limits.

The rate increase includes increases in the base rate for various levels of life support, disposable medical supplies used and extrication services, as well as other services.

Inyart also re-appointed Alan Lanham and Mary Droste to the Charleston Carnegie Library Board of Trustees.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu.