East Central Reporter

City of Tuscola City Council met April 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order with Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop, and Mayor Kleiss in attendance. Alderman Morris was absent. Mayor Kleiss led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Kleiss announced Alderman Morris has asked to be excused from meetings this week and the following council meeting on May 11, 2025.

Consent Agenda

Mayor Kleiss went over the items on the consent agenda:

Minutes of the April 14, 2025, meeting

Financial report for March 2025

Payment of bills totaling $71,867.87

Community Building lease with alcohol for Garza/Salinas wedding reception July 26, 2025 Closure of the 100 block of West North Central for the Odd Market on October 18, 2025

Hoey moved to approve the items on the consent agenda. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Day moved to approve the consent agenda for April 28, 2025. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Mayor

Mayor Kleiss noted the city received a thank you for providing barricades for the Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt.

City Clerk - No Report

City Treasurer - No Report

City Attorney - No Report

City Administrator - No Report

Hoey moved to approve the FY 26 budget as presented. Shoemaker seconded. Treasurer Long stated there have been no comments or changes to the draft budget presented and discussed at the last meeting. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop. Contracts and Agreements

Action was taken on several purchases to be made on or after May 1, and included in the FY 26 budget:

Day moved to approve the purchase of a sewer camera at a cost of $7,844.26, from Insight Vision. Brace seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Administrator Hoel informed council a slightly larger tractor is now available from Niemeyer and can be received just as quickly as the tractor listed on the agenda. Shoemaker moved to approve the purchase of a Kubota M7060 tractor with canopy from Niemeyer in Humboldt, at a cost of $38,445.82. Rund seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

April 28, 2025 Rund moved to approve the purchase of a 72" soil conditioner from Bobcat of Champaign, in the amount of $12,200.00. Hoey seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Day moved to approve the purchase of a John Deere 1200A Bunker and Field Rake from Greg Izard, at a cost of $12,500.00. Waldrop seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Treasurer Long went over the 2025 employee health insurance renewal recommendations for council consideration. Long stated Health Alliance is no longer an option. This made big changes in the insurance market. Last year, Aetna was the least expensive option, but their rates have gone up this year. Some of our employees will see a big decrease in premiums this year and some will see an increase. Long went on to say the city's cost will go down ~ 13% from last year. Long stated she feels we are offering good options for our employees - options with Carle, Christie, and Sarah Bush coverage. Administrator Hoel added the plans offered are good plans and well-priced. Employees will have four options to choose from. These range from $0 - $111 per month for employee only; $202 - $273 per month for employee + one dependent; and $326 - $421 monthly for family coverage. HSA funding for the plan year is $130 per month for employee only; $260 per month for employee plus one; and $300 per month for family coverage on the high- deductible plan only. Open enrollment for health insurance begins May 1, 2025. Slaughter moved to approve the 2025 health insurance renewal options as presented. Shoemaker seconded. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

Other

1. Hoey moved to approve the annual officers, advisory board, and committee appointments as presented. Waldrop seconded. Copy attached making them part of the minutes. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

2. Day moved to approve the FY 26 wage scale as presented, showing an increase of approximately 3%. The new wages take effect with the current pay period which began today, April 28, 2025. Slaughter seconded. Copy attached, making the wage scale part of the minutes. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

3. Rund moved to approve the FY 26 Tuscola Fire Department personnel roster, as presented. Brace seconded. Copy attached, making the roster part of the minutes. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

4. Waldrop moved to approve the account write-offs of unpaid water, sewer, and garbage accounts for FY 25, totaling $2236.71. Shoemaker seconded. This write-off is for accounting purposes. The accounts will no longer be on the books, but will be brought up to date and paid by the individuals if they ever come back to town and request service. Treasurer Long pointed out each department budgets $4000 for account write offs each year. VOTE YEA* Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

The motion to adjourn was made by Slaughter and seconded by Rund. VOTE YEA**Brace, Day, Hoey, Rund, Shoemaker, Slaughter, Waldrop.

https://tuscola.org/file/1557