The Newton City Council approved several financial and administrative items during its October 20 meeting, including more than $115,000 in property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage, a one-year agreement for medical and dental benefits administration, and authorizations for the city’s annual financial audits.
The council also approved payment of bills and accounts payable, authorized the annual review of Motor Fuel Tax funds, and heard updates on city infrastructure projects and upcoming community events.
Mayor Joshua Kuhl called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Council members Gayle Glumac, Larry Brooks and Mike Swick were physically present at roll call, along with Kuhl. Aldermen Kaleb Wright, RJ Lindemann and Eric Blake and Treasurer Melissa Brooks were listed as absent at roll call. Lindemann arrived later during the meeting.
Council approves bills and accounts payable
The council approved $315,377.69 in prepaid expenses and authorized payment of $159,569.62 in bills and accounts payable.
The motion was made by Swick and seconded by Glumac. The measure passed unanimously among those voting.
Council members also approved the minutes from the October 6 regular meeting.
Insurance and health benefits agreements approved
The council approved a proposal from the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association for the city’s property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage in the amount of $115,992.89.
Glumac made the motion, with Swick seconding. The measure passed unanimously.
The council also approved a one-year agreement with Luminare Health Benefits to administer the city’s medical and dental benefit plans at a cost of $36,975.
The motion was made by Larry Brooks and seconded by Swick. It also passed unanimously.
The insurance and health benefits proposals had previously been reviewed by the Finance and Audit Committee during its October 14 meeting, where the committee reached a consensus to proceed with both proposals.
Council authorizes annual financial audits
The council approved authorizations for the city’s 2025-2026 fiscal year audit and the 2025-2026 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fiscal year audit.
Larry Brooks made the motion to authorize the city’s annual fiscal year audit, with Swick seconding. The measure passed unanimously.
Swick made the motion to authorize the TIF fiscal year audit, with Glumac seconding. That measure also passed unanimously.
During the Finance and Audit Committee meeting, Anne Marie Clark of Kemper CPA Group presented the city’s fiscal year 2025-2026 audit. According to the committee minutes, no audit adjustments or issues requiring modification of the audit opinion were reported.
Clark also emphasized the purpose and importance of the city’s tort funds. The committee noted that the city’s TIF district is scheduled to expire in 2031. No recommendations were made regarding the TIF audit.
The committee also reviewed the insurance and health benefits proposals and discussed a dumpster reimbursement application for 506 Liberty.
Dumpster reimbursement tabled until November
The council considered a request for $6,125 in dumpster reimbursement for 506 Liberty, following a recommendation from the Finance and Audit Committee.
Although a majority of the committee recommended awarding the reimbursement, the council voted to table the application until its November 4 meeting.
Swick made the motion to table the request, with Glumac seconding. The motion passed unanimously.
The application will return to the council for consideration at the next meeting.
Motor Fuel Tax review authorized
As part of its old business, the council approved authorization for the 2025 annual Illinois Department of Transportation compliance review of the city’s Motor Fuel Tax funds.
Swick made the motion, with Glumac seconding. The measure passed unanimously.
The council also approved a Park Department purchase order to Sycamore Engineering for boiler modifications at the Newton Aquatic Center in the amount of $6,158.
Glumac made the motion, with Swick seconding. The measure passed unanimously.
Lafayette Street bridge project nearing completion
During council reports, Swick announced that Lafayette Street had reopened to through traffic and that the Street Department expected to wrap up the bridge project soon.
Kuhl also recognized the Street Department for completing the Lafayette Street Bridge Project, praising employees for successfully completing a project of that size in-house.
Swick noted that the city may want to begin planning ahead for the purchase of a new dump truck.
The Sewer Department also completed its sewer project on East Reynolds Street the previous week. Both Swick and Kuhl recognized Scott and Jake for their work on the sewer main installation.
The Water Department has faced several unforeseen challenges in recent weeks. Swick praised the cooperation among city departments in resolving those issues, while Kuhl recognized Jennifer, new employee Alex and Adam for their efforts.
Kuhl also thanked Treasurer Melissa Brooks and her team, Rachel McVicar and Stacy Gray, for their work preparing for the city’s annual audits. He additionally recognized the Electric Department employees Matt, Garrett and Lane, along with front-office staff Amy, Brenda and Maggie.
Leaf pickup and Lights in the Park approaching
Kuhl announced that city leaf pickup would begin November 1. Residents were asked to place leaves close to the curb and ensure they are free of brush, limbs, sticks and other debris. The brush dump remains open for those materials.
Preparations for Lights in the Park are also scheduled to begin the week of November 2, with the seasonal display set to open November 21.
Glumac encouraged anyone with a display to begin setting it up and reminded residents that volunteers are needed to staff the donation shed. Volunteer sign-up information is available through the Lights in the Park Facebook page.
Mayor recognizes Newton student-athletes
Kuhl congratulated the Newton girls’ tennis team on winning the Little Illini Conference championship.
He also recognized the volleyball team, which was scheduled to play Paris on Thursday, October 22, with an outright conference championship at stake. Kuhl noted that over the previous 11 years, Newton’s volleyball team had won at least a share of the conference title in 10 seasons, including what he believed to be seven outright championships.
The Newton football team was also recognized for reaching the playoffs for the first time in several years. Following a bye week, the team was scheduled to return to action the following Friday.
Kuhl congratulated the cross country team on its season and wished the boys’ soccer team luck as it began regional play.
He also recognized Braydon Wise and EESN Broadcasting for providing live coverage of local sporting events, noting that the broadcasts help more community members follow and support Newton student-athletes.
Council enters closed session on real estate
The council voted to enter closed session to discuss the purchase and sale of real estate under the applicable exceptions to the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
The motion was made by Swick and seconded by Glumac. The open session was suspended at 6:20 p.m., and the council returned to open session at 6:40 p.m.
Kuhl announced that the council had discussed the purchase and sale of real estate during the closed session. The minutes did not identify specific properties or report any real estate action taken following the discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
The next regular Newton City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at 6 p.m. The meeting was moved from the usual Tuesday schedule because of the November 3 election.
