Mill Shoals board members held their final 2025 meeting, discussing tax ordinances, policing, and updates.
Following these discussions, the Village of Mill Shoals was awarded $509,000 in DRA funding. Of this amount, $9,000 is allocated for administrative expenses managed by the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, and the Village will contribute $500,000 to the overall project.
Continuing with financial matters, Village Treasurer Murphy presented the board with a description of the Tax Levy and Appropriations Ordinance. Board members agreed to approve both the Levy and Appropriations Ordinance. Treasurer Murphy offered that the Village would not need an audit until 2027, barring any new financial commitments.
There were updates on the board’s numerous projects. The White County Soil and Water Conservation District has been contacted, and the status of potential NRCS program funding for the Skillet Fork Water Monitor Funding Project is pending a response. The Water System Project may receive additional funding, as the IL DCEO Federal Matching Funding Program has reopened; further details are awaited. Currently, the Water Project has $3,550,000 in funding, with the total project quote being $6,241,639. The Village’s Water Rate Study was submitted to the Illinois Rural Water Association in November and is under review. Board members plan to meet with the White County Engineer to gather information on financing and bridge repair options offered by the County.
Turning to other issues, the board discussed the lack of restitution received from an individual who had run over a Village fire hydrant. The individual has made three payments, but the last was received in April 2025. The board decided it would be best for the Village attorney to serve a notice that the lack of restitution could be settled by the Claims Court.
On the topic of public safety, policing with Enfield will begin in the coming year, with a squad car scheduled to be picked up in January. Mill Shoals board members suggested reaching out to Enfield to have the officer attend a meeting to address some ongoing issues.
As part of Old Business, Village Hall cleaning progresses as Trustee Schuler found a prospective offeror for this month. A questionnaire will go to residents to gauge interest in Meals on Wheels. Trustee Smothers continues collecting recipes for the Village recipe book.
The next Mill Shoals board meeting will be on January 6 at 7 pm.