📰 City of Monmouth – Council Meeting Highlights
đź“… August 18, 2025 | đź“Ť 100 East Broadway | đź•• 6:00 PM
The Monmouth City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at 100 East broadway. The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call confirming a quorum. All agenda items proceeded according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Key Actions and Approvals:
- Approval of Minutes and Consent Agenda: The Council approved the minutes from the August 4, 2025, meeting. The Consent Agenda, including the approval of bills, passed unanimously without discussion.
- Presentations and Citizen Inquiries: Firefighter awards were presented to recognize outstanding service by members of the Monmouth Fire Department. No citizen inquiries were raised during the allocated time.
- Committee of the Whole:
- Monmouth Police Department (MPD) July Report (Presented by Chief Switzer): Highlights included 51 arrests (YTD: 408), 107 citations (YTD: 671), and 1,323 MPD calls (YTD: 9,594). Notable incidents: The July 4th fireworks proceeded without issues; meetings were held with car show personnel and Superintendent Fletcher for school resource officer preparations. A new internal camera and keyless entry system was installed using federal drug seizure funds. Officers completed mandated training, control tactics, and annual qualifications. Equipment maintenance was addressed on squad cars. Upcoming plans include Monmouth College freshman walk-out, Warren County Prime Beef Festival, and Riley Run preparations.
- Monmouth Fire Department (MFD) July Report (Presented by Chief Rexroat): The department responded to 125 incidents (YTD: 927), including 79 rescue/EMS calls, 16 hazardous conditions, and 4 fires. Training covered dementia care, fire apparatus engineering, and hazardous materials decontamination. Firefighter Talbott completed specialized apparatus engineer training. Non-emergency activities included fireworks standby at Citizens Lake, fire safety talks with Park District kids, extinguisher training at OSF Holy Family Medical Center, and a water event at West Park. Annual ladder testing, aerial ladder maintenance, and SCBA flow testing were completed.
- Ordinances Passed (All approved unanimously):
- Ordinance 25-014: Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax: In response to the state’s decision to suspend its 1% grocery tax effective January 1, 2026, a move that shifts financial burdens onto local governments without adequate support, the City of Monmouth is required to pass an ordinance restoring the tax in order to maintain financial stability. This ordinance imposes a local 1% tax on gross receipts from grocery sales at retail and related services, ensuring no increase in the overall tax rate for consumers while preserving essential revenue for city operations. Administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, this measure protects the $360,000 in funding for vital services like public safety and infrastructure.
- Ordinance 25-015: Declaring Surplus Property – Public Works: A 2000 Chevrolet S-10 truck was declared surplus and no longer necessary for city use. The City Administrator is authorized to sell the vehicle, with net proceeds deposited into the general corporate fund.
- Ordinance 25-016: Granting a Setback Variance – 407 North 10th Street: Following a public hearing and Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation, a variance was granted for the property (PIN: 09-040-020-00). It allows a 15-foot setback from the southeast (rear) property line (instead of 40 feet) and a 27-foot setback from the northwest (front) property line (instead of 30 feet). All other setbacks are met, with considerations for stormwater runoff, to enable construction of a new house with attached garage.
- Resolutions: None were presented.
- Executive Session: No executive session was held
- Other Business: No additional items were raised.
Get Involved
Have questions or feedback? Contact us at 100 East Broadway or email info@cityofmonmouthil.gov. Attend the next council meeting to share your thoughts during the citizen inquiry period!
Next City Council Meeting: September 2nd 2025
***Courtesy of the City of Monmouth***
