•August 15, 2018•

As part of an on-going discussion between the village board of Bethany and the local landlords, Kent Frantz, president of the Sullivan Landlords Assoc., shared the experience Sullivan has had using a State Recovery Program to help towns in Illinois recover utility debts from tenants.
At issue is who should pay for delinquent utility bills when tenants skip out without paying. The Bethany ordinance makes landlords responsible for overdue utilities on the property.
However, the state comptroller’s office can help recoup the debts by accessing the tenants’ state wages, lottery winnings or income tax refunds.
Frantz reported that Sullivan has a 53% success rate on the 192 collections sent to the state during the city’s first year of participating.
The board directed the utility chairman to work with Sullivan to explore the state program. Ginger Barter, who has eight tenants in Bethany, urged the board to adopt the state program. She also requested that the landlords be notified of future meetings where this matter would be discussed.
Under old business it was reported that up to 52% of TIF funds may be used to purchase necessary village items. It was recommended that TIF funds be used to defray the cost of the new police squad car. The estimate cost to the village is $7,965.92.
The board also passed an ordinance requiring small cell companies to have approval from the board before they make any installations.
Village nonage Shannon Risley requested purchase of a new high-pressure vacuum to assist the village with drainage problems. An $11,000 trade-in offer was available for the present vacuum. He pointed out that it could be used by several village departments. The board approved this purchase with 52% of the cost to be covered by TIF funds.
Under new business Matt Foster and Lance Whitney’s items were tabled because neither appeared. Police Chief Chris Nichols presented costs for repairs to the part-time police vehicle. He had obtained the costs from a car dealer in Sullivan.
The board recommended that another bid be solicited from a mechanic in Bethany as it would probably be lower, and the board prefers to keep business in the village if possible.
The village attorney advised that a new ordinance for the collection of cable TV fees was needed. There has been a name change in ownership, and the ordinance would permit the village to continue collecting these fees.
Alice Wheeler resigned from the TIF board, and the board unanimously appointed Jennie Sims to fill Wheeler’s position.
The board also approved ordinances establishing speed limits on certain streets as posted.
Risley reported that there are still some sewer problems and that 100 new water meters had been installed bringing that project near completion.
Most of the pot holes have been filled.
Police Chief Nichols reported that 18-20 people have signed up for the active shooter training and training for the treatment of gunshot wounds. His department is in the process of getting firearms qualifications.
Future committee meetings will be the utility committee to continue the work on methods of collecting utility bills and a special board meeting has to be scheduled.