(NEWTON) The Newton City Council met for a regularly scheduled meeting this past Tuesday night and here’s a report from the unofficial minutes from the meeting. The Council : approved the payment of pre-paid bills worth $297,640 and the accounts payable worth $271,158 : approved the TIF Application submitted for 110 South Van Buren Street by United Country Burke Auction & Realty for 15% of the total project cost, up to the amount of $16,060 : approved the $9,990 bid from Double B’s Land Management for the 311 South Jackson Street demolition project : approved the $5,355 quote from Barlow Lock & Security for fire alarm and CO detector additions for Newton City Hall & Newton Police Department with 50/50 split in payment : approved a Letter of Agreement with the PBPA Labor Committee, modifying residency requirements : approved the appointment of all Department Heads : agreed to hire Jennifer Holland for the Water Plant Operator Department Head position with start date of June 1st, 2026 : agreed that Department Heads will receive certificate pay, per union contract, in addition to a $1.25 hourly wage increase : on a 4 to 1 vote, approved a one-year contract agreement with Chief of Police James Riddle : approved the $5,053 purchase of PVC Pipe for a sewer line replacement to the Rex Vault lift station : authorized a grant writing agreement with the South Central Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission for the submission of the Illinois Strong Communities Program Grant : noted that the Newton Pool will officially open for 2026 this Saturday afternoon at 1:00 : and no action, other to adjourn, after a 27-minute closed session to discuss litigation and personnel : the next regular meeting for the Newton City Council will be June 2nd, 2026.
