Updating the street lights in the 4 corridors of the community, a pay increase for the city manager, along with a possible increase in the telecommunication tax topped the agenda last night for Rochelle officials.
The council heard a report on possible changes in the future for street lighting along Illinois 251 and Route 38 in the future. The concept plan was done by Teska and Associates.
City Manager Dave Plyman said that the goal is to replace the wooded street light poles in the future.
No action was taken by the Council last night.
Plyman will see a pay increase of 2 percent which is retroactive to May 1st. His yearly salary will be $122,400. Plyman has been City Manager in Rochelle since May of last year.
The council is considering an increase in the telecommunication tax from 5 to 6 percent. Additional revenue for the city would be around $66,000 a year.
The home owner's bill could rise between 50 cents to $1.50 a month. The last time the tax was increased was in September of 2007. It was mentioned last night that sales tax revenue is down $7,000 during the 1st 2 months of the current fiscal year.
City officials approved a special use permit for a recycling center at Behr Iron and Steel at 111 5th Avenue. They will have an indoor drive-thru operation along with outdoor metal and auto recycling.
The bid of just over $622,000 was also approved for the extension of Avenue "F" and the water treatment plant access road. The project includes the removal of the Treatment Plant Road bridge over Kyte Creek.
The Council also decided to keep their salaries the same for the present time.
