The Charleston City Council approved two resolutions obligating $1,075,000 in the Rebuild Illinois Funds to Sister City for construction and repair fees on Tuesday night at City Hall.  

$255,000 were appointed for the construction of a curb and the repair of gutters. 

$820,000 were appointed for the construction of a full depth asphalt pavement. 

These resolutions go towards the ongoing Sister City Phase II building project.

The Council voted unanimously in favor of approving the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget.  

A preview of the budget is available online here. 

The Council made an amendment for the fiscal year 2021 through 2022 city budget. 

The amendment balances the Pension Tax Levy and Recreational Land funds. 

These funds ran over due to “changes throughout the year” according to Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs. 

The Council approved an ordinance for a previous water and sewer rates ordinance. 

Every year, the rates are changed to reflect expenses and estimated revenues for the new fiscal year. 

The new rates are an additional $3.86 per month, around $40 a year, with a total increase of 3.9%. 

The Council approved of obligating $394,500 in Motor Fuel Tax for the fiscal year 2023 for street maintenance and in-house construction. 

The Council obligated $394,500 for the Motor Fuel Tax for street maintenance and other street construction projects for the current fiscal year. 

The Council approved seven Tax Increment Financing, TIF, grants for businesses around the Square within the TIF district. 

District boundaries are Van Buren Ave. to Railroad Ave. to 4th Street to 11th street. 

The fund’s purpose is to improve the real estate and infrastructure within Charleston’s TIF district. 

These funds aim to enhance the community, bring people into the city, and improve the city’s tax base. 

The grant can be revoked if recipients do not follow the Redevelopment Agreement.  

• – Scott Clarke with Scott A. Clarke, OD at 620 6th St. received $10,000 
• – Chris Wetzel with the Law Office of Chris Wetzel at 509 7th St. received $9,317 
• – Troy Conley with Conley Properties at 710 Jackson Ave. received $7,320 
• – Ryan Strange with Premier Properties at 516 6th St. received $5,307 
• – Ryan Strange with Premier Properties at 521 7th Street received $3,663 
• – James Di Naso with The Body Club at 618 Jackson Ave. received $2,450 

The Council approved of the street closure for the 2022 Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System Races for All Paces, starting at O’Brien Stadium, May 14. 

The closure will be from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  

There will be four different races all with different routes.  

A map of the routes is available here.  

All parking, and traffic as needed, will be closed on the indicated streets. 

The half marathon starts at 7 a.m., the 10K race starts at 7:50 a.m., the 5K race starts at 8:15 a.m. and the one-mile fun run/walk starts at 9:30 a.m. 

The Council approved authorizing an expenditure of tourism funds for the Illinois High School Association Track Meets on May 19 to May 21 and May 26 to May 28. 

Eastern Athletic Department requested $4,000 in tourism funds to cover expenses for the meet. 

The Council had several date recognitions. 

National Volunteer Week will be viewed April 24 to April 30, and May 1 to May 7 as the Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week. 

The month of May 2022 had several month recognitions including: 

• A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education Motorcycle Awareness Month 
• Mental Health Awareness Month 
• National Bike Month 

Rob Le Cates can be reached at 581-2812 or at rllecates@eiu.edu.