PAXTON – The Paxton Park Board discussed an ordinance during Tuesday’s monthly meeting.
Park Board Attorney Marc Miller approved the ordinance providing for the issue of general obligation corporate purpose bonds.
The bonds, totaling a number not to exceed $100,000, are to be used for capital project purposes, authorizing the execution of a bond order and escrow agreement, providing for the levy of taxes to pay said bonds and authorizing the sale and/or issuance of said bonds.
The board will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, to consider the approval of the 2023-24 Paxton Park Tax Levy Ordinance and an order calling a public hearing concerning the intent of the board of the park commissioners of the Paxton Park District to sell general obligation park bonds.
Other business
Also at Tuesday’s meeting:
— The board also approved having a women’s volleyball league for the 2023-24 season. Site supervisors/officials will be paid $20 per game.
— The board discussed looking into options of having a referendum put on the ballot for a future election. Information was given that Gibson City recently had a referendum. The park board asked Miller to check into it.
— The board approved a one-year maintenance agreement with Magers Prepaid HVAC. The agreement was signed and delivered to Magers, which will get a bill to the park district.
— The board approved an agreement with Shaffer Retainer for monthly accounting and payroll services at $650 per month effective Nov. 1, 2023.
— The board approved payment of bills totaling $6,489 and the treasurer’s report, which includes unrestricted funds of $111,438.59 and restricted funds of $197,769.79.
— During the director’s report, it was noted that 396 kids are registered for youth basketball. The park district is in the process of setting up practices and teams. The men’s basketball league has four teams so far.
— The board approved adding recreation director Kayden Snelling to the park district’s accounts and credit card.
— The board approved the minutes from the meeting held Nov. 14, 2023.
— The board tabled hiring an outside CPA firm to conduct an annual audit and complete the annual financial report to be filed with the State of Illinois.
— The board tabled discussion on digging a retention pond at Coady Park.
— The board tabled discussing what the City of Paxton’s financial responsibility is for the new Nelson Field scoreboard. Park Board President Denver Piatt will reach out to Mayor Bill Ingold regarding the scoreboard. During committee reports, it was also noted that Nelson Field is in need of turf to be spread out in the spring for the batting cage.
— During committee reports, Commissioner Jake Pietkiewicz suggested iPads for board members, which would come out of capital funds. Consideration of the purchase if iPads and/or other computers is on the agenda for the special meeting on Wednesday.
— The board approved adding Snelling to the park district’s Facebook account. Pietkiewicz will set up an appointment time at the park district to set up the account.
— Ahlden Harms of Frederick Community Wealth Management gave a presentation on augmenting revenue for the Paxton Park District through endowments and other financial tools.
— The board tabled discussion on purchasing an extended wi-fi and adding cameras for the district.
— The board approved removing former recreation director Cody Evans from the park district credit card and accounts.
— The board tabled removing Evans from the park district’s Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
