The Blevins City Council meeting was called to order by the mayor on November 3rd at 7:00 PM. Board members present: Barbara Patterson, Jon Howell, Kimberly Torres, Eric Smith and Bruce Graham. An opening prayer was offered by Barbara Patterson.
The previous meeting minutes for October were read by the recorder/treasurer and accepted. The financial report was presented and approved. There were three water adjustments totaling $170.75, most of which was to a clear closed account with an unpaid balance.
A letter from OWN Engineering was read by the mayor stating the progress of the sewer project. The design phase is 60% complete and many other aspects are ongoing. Per OWN Engineering we are on target.
The ARDOT Street Fund, city street overlay project is in process and is projected to begin and to be completed in 2027. More details will be shared as they are made available.
Old business also included passing ordinances for the renewal of certificates of deposits for the Street Fund and Sewer Fund for 13 month terms. Additionally, what’d been previously designated as a Savings Account is now officially designated as the Replacement and Refurbishment Account for the Water System by an approved ordinance. An ordinance was passed to close the Cemetery Fund and separate the account since it is inactive. The funds will be a line item in the General Fund. This was previously discussed as recommendation by an auditor and an ordinance was passed per the auditors recommendation.
New business included passing an ordinance to levy taxes for the City of Blevins for 2027, at a rate of 3.1 mills which is unchanged from the existing rate. The 2026 budget was discussed at length. After reviewing the year to date expenditures it was deemed necessary to amend the budget in a couple areas. The amendments were passed by an approved ordinance. The budget for 2027 was discussed, adjusted and approved by ordinance. Mowing expenses for the city were discussed and the council expressed the desire to bid out the mowing jobs for 2027. Additionally, Eric Smith volunteered to do mowing for the city at no cost to the city which also indemnified the city against liability for the volunteer work. This was passed by the council with a specifically written ordinance. After seeing public interest in having an option to pay water/sewer bills online, an ordinance was passed to enter into an agreement with Utilipay of Marion, Illinois. The service comes at no cost to the city but does cost the customer 4% of the billed amount. For example, a $50 water/sewer charge would cost the customer $2.00. This is strictly a voluntary option. To make use of the service go online to utilipay.net .
The customer will need to set up their account with the following information: Name on the account; account number; service address. They will also need a credit or debit card; a valid email address and phone number. After the payment has been made, and approved, the customer will receive a payment receipt via email.
The meeting was adjourned. The next scheduled meeting at Blevins City Hall will be December 1st at 7:00 pm.