December 3, 2014

Still, much of Robinson Street improvements up in the air

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

At last month’s regular village board meeting in Bethany, city officials approved a measure that would provide initial funding for a major roadwork project that was previously reported could cost the village up to $1 million to complete.

In reference to Robinson Street, that $1 million price tag is now expected to be considerably less, prompting the village to approve $45,000 in preliminary funding that could ultimately be wasted if officials decide not to further pursue the project. The vote, which passed 4 to 2, was just one in a series of decisions that Bethany’s village council will make in coming months concerning the reconstruction of Robinson Street. Read More

November 19, 2014

New levy increases $7,141

Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Once again the city of Sullivan had the first reading of the ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2014 and ending April 30, 2015. This year the total appropriation, or money spent, of $28,173,950.00 is down from past year’s total appropriation by $663,850.

“This reduction is due to several factors but mainly fewer transfers from general fund, fewer gas fund purchases and a reduction in the water and sewer department expenses since the construction projects will not be completed in the fiscal year as had been previously hoped,” explained city treasurer Myron Salmon.

The receipts from sources other than the tax levy are also down by $697,991 from last year, and the amount raised by the new tax levy represents an increase of $7,141. Read More

November 5, 2014

57 % of voters say “no”

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The voters of Moultrie County voted down a referendum proposing to increase the local sales tax by 1 percent Tuesday.

The county school facility occupation tax measure, which would have raised funds for Moultrie County school districts to use towards building upgrades and other school facility related expenses, failed with 2563 voters saying “no” while 1947 voted in favor.

Superintendent of Sullivan schools Brad Tuttle had previously cited particular building needs such as a new HVAC system and roof in certain areas of buildings. It was estimated that up to $800,000 would be generated annually from the 1 percent increase in sales tax, which would have applied to prepared food at restaurants, soft drinks and candy, and other tangible property. Okaw Valley and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond would have also seen influxes of money. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
A grain semi-truck enters the queue line at the Heritage Grain Co-op elevator in Bethany Tuesday morning. Earlier this month an engineer explained to the Bethany village board that Robinson Street was not meant to handle such traffic.

October 22, 2014

Engineer cites nearly $1 million estimate for roadwork

by Joash Tiarks
& Keith Stewart

keith@newsprogress.com

The Village of Bethany is once again dealing with the wear and tear of farm equipment.

As the main access route to the Heritage Grain Co-op elevator, the resurfacing of Robinson Street has cropped up again this year. Matt Foster, of the engineering firm Bainbridge, Gee, Milanski & Associates(BGM) out of Decatur, presented his findings to the board earlier this month on the possibility of a grant from the Truck Access Route Program(TARP) to more permanently deal with this perennial challenge. Read More

October 8, 2014

Expenditures also rise in latest budget

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Last month the Sullivan school board approved an updated tentative budget that saw more than $200,000 less in revenue over the previous tentative budget.

After holding a public hearing on the budget (which went unattended by the public), the board unanimously passed the latest budget, which increases the overall deficit by $393,226. Of that, $212,726 was a loss in revenue, while $180,500 can be attributed to expenses.

With revenue, the kicker is despite the school district receiving 89 percent of its full state aid payment as in the previous fiscal year, this year’s amount is $198,147 less because of two primary factors. Read More