Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Finance Committee met Sept. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The finance committee met on September 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall. Present: Chairman Crabtree, Alderperson Semtner, Alderperson Levell

Also Present: Mayor Hughes, Office Manager Passage

Chairman Crabtree called the meeting to order 4:30p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No Public Comment

PURPOSE

2024-2025 Audit Presentation - Aaron Phillips Auditor and Reynolds Beckman.

Aaron Phillips presented the 24-25 audit. He explained the audit process. He advised that the city is in a strong position and there were no deficiencies in the 24-25 audit. The consensus of the committee was to present the audit at the September 22, council meeting.

Monthly Budget Review

Office Manager Passage stated that expense line items should be at 33.32% for the month of August. Overall each department is under said percentage. However; some line items may be over due to onetime expenses or unforeseen expenses. Revenue is coming in as expected.

Invoice - Civic Plus

Office Manager Passage advised that an invoice for $6,000.75 was received from CivicPlus for full service supplementation subscription for ordinances, for November 2025 through October 2026. This is a budgeted item in the General Fund line item Ordinance Codification. The consensus of the committee was to present the invoice for approval at the September 22 council meeting.

City hall staffing (Asst. Office Manager)

Office Manager Passage advised the committee that the employment notice for Assistant Office Manager has been placed in the Peoria Journal Star and online with Peoria Journal Star. It was also placed in the classified section with Illinois Municipal League. Alderperson Semtner stated it was also posted on line at Bradley University. Resume's will be accepted through October 31, 2025. Office Manager Passage also stated that as the city goes through this process they will also have to consider where this new person's office will be along with the need for a desk, chair, computer and other technology needs.

Elected Officials Compensation

Office Manager Passage stated that elected officials' compensation must be set at least 180 day before an election. The committee should look at the current ordinance regarding elected officials' compensation to assess if any changes are necessary.

Community Solar Agreement

Office Manager Passage advised she has not received any response back from Ampion regarding their analysis of potential cost savings. The consensus of the committee was to have Office Manager Passage reach out to the city's consultant Jerod McMorris, Good Energy regarding said analysis.

Property 817 Sixth St - Request for Proposals status update

One Bid was received and opened at the City Council meeting Sept. 8, from Windmill Property Management, Brady Miller. Bid price was $1,000.00. Office Manager Passage reported that the city has invested approximately $16,670.00 into the property now including follow up maintenance. The consensus of the committee was to recommend at the September 10 council meeting to reject any an all bids.

City Hall - Air Conditioning

Office Manager Passage advised that she had contacted Darrin Gross, Carl's Season Control to see if they were interested in providing a proposal, however; they declined. He recommended that the city get the engineer involved to advise what our best option would be for the space we have. The consensus of the committee was to have Alderperson Semtner research and report back to the committee.

City Hall - Including asbestos/lead removal

Chairman Crabtree will reach out to the attorney and the Illinois Municipal League regarding potential grants available.

Review - Comprehensive Plan Update

This topic was deferred to the next finance meeting.

2025 Tax Levy Ordinance

Office Manager Passage reported the police pension portion of the audit has been completed and we are waiting on the actuary regarding which will determine the amount needed to levy for the police pension fund. The Tax Levy must be passed no later than December 8.

OLD BUSINESS

SUMMARY

Council Agenda Items - Accept - 2024-2025 Finance Audit

Approve - Invoice - CivicPlus

Reject - Bid for 817 Sixth

Chairman Update - nothing

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

 https://cms9files.revize.com/chillicothe/09.10.2025%20finance.pdf?t=202509251412030&t=202509251412030