City holds off on appointment of city building inspector
by Keith Stewart

Though on the agenda for the city council Tuesday night was the appointment of Rick Matthews as the new city building inspector, following the retirement of Jim Butts effective Jan. 31, the council had to push the decision back after Matthews asked what the insurance requirement the city would have for him, and the council was unable to answer.

The council agreed that they would learn whether the building inspector was covered under the current city officials' insurance program or if he would have to purchase his own as an independent contractor.
Matthews indicated that he was also in the running as the Moultrie County building inspector which will be decided on Feb. 21.

In other business, the city approved the treasurer's report for the period from Dec. 31-Jan. 31:

Total treasurer's account previous balance $874,934.84, receipts $843,449.23, disbursements $774,163.45, balance $944, 220.62, total special accounts' previous balance $15,242,151.49, receipts $1,125,826.45, disbursements $1,665,366.48, balance $14,702,611.46, total of all accounts' previous balance $16,117,086.33, receipts $1,969,275.68, disbursements $2,439,529.93, balance $15, 646,832,08.
Following the treasurer's report, the council approved the following claims: total electric fund $423,099.30, total gas fund $287,515.63, total water works and sewage fund $103,772.66, total general corporate fund $72,099.82, total police fund $21,873.21, total cemetery fund $5,386.79, total civic center fund $20,234.10, total park fund $5,357.81, total street & alley fund $13,945.53, total library fund $13,189.87, total motor fuel tax fund $5,168.64, total retirement fund $22,529.58, total street improvement fund $518.82, total TIFF one tax-allocation fund $219,374.94, total TIFF two tax fund $15,719.14, total TIFF three tax fund $4,680.85.

Commissioner Mike Kirk clarified that though there was a purchase power of only $204,000.00 with the electric fund, there was a $149,000 credit for fuel purchased and burned while the city is generating for 69 KV line. The actual bill, Kirk stated, was $353,000.00 for February, which he cited was near average.

Commissioner Mike Mossman updated the council on the building at Wyman Park, saying that it was near completion and then turned to Jim Russell of West & Company to explain the year-end 2010-2011 audit.

Russell mentioned that the city had experienced an overall growth, citing that between June 30, 2010-June 30, 2011, the city's net assets grew a "modest amount", which Russell then equated to $2.3 million. He continued by cautioning the council that the growth wasn't all cash but also attributed to "accruals that we made on the books, assets that we've booked, that have not yet been recognized or converted to cash." Russell further explained that assets had grown by approximately $10 million, along with liabilities ( approximately $8 million), thus leaving the net assets mentioned above.

Russell concluded with a comparison between the city and other municipalities. He cited that the state compares Sullivan to communities with populations ranging from 1,000 to 25,000, but even with that in consideration, that Sullivan was exceeding the state average in several areas, including spend balance per capita (accumulations of profits and losses).

"That's a good thing," said Russell. "I think the city should give themselves a pat on the back."

Commissioner Kirk then addressed the rest of the council with several points of business, including an application for funding that would complete phase III of the sidewalk improvement project. There is up to $50 million in funding remaining through IDOT, according to Kirk. The board unanimously approved the motion to apply for the funding.

Kirk also had the approval of a bid to be opened on the purchase of 2500 foot reels of insulated wire for underground work.

Other business included the Vineyard Church lift station. A motion was made and approved for two bids related to providing electricity to the lift station. Kirk cited the first bid as being "under $10,000" and the other as being "a little over $5,000" and to do so as a TIF eligible expense.

The public property commissioner also gave an update on the 69kv line, explaining that 70 percent of the project was complete, but that the remaining 30 percent was the most difficult part to finish.

The council was also notified that city employees Victor Arendell and Richard French had retired and that both may be finishing out their vacation time.

A resolution to participate in the federal surplus program was adopted (12b) as well as an ordinance to approve and authorize an execution of an intergovernmental agreement by and between The city of Sullivan and Moultrie County, which in turn will provide the courthouse with a new air conditioner. The new bid of $12,525 was significantly lower than the original, which was cited as being $17,000.

The next city council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday Feb. 27.