The Village of Mill Shoals was awarded a $3,000,000 grant through Congressional Direct Spending for the water project with the support of U.S. Representative Mike Bost.
The funding is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural development. USDA officials met with the Village Board and community members for an informational session by video meeting back on May 3rd, along with Village Grant Manager, Adeline Development Group and Engineering firm, Horner and Shifrin.
Morgan Doggett of the Adeline Development Group, provided options for the Village to consider to meet their required matching funding component for the grant through additional grants. The Village of Mill Shoals have set up a meeting on May 16th at 7pm to vote on which grant funding options to pursue for the matching component of the water project.
The Village voted and approved for Adeline Development Group to reach out to the U.S. Geological Survey to request water level monitoring on the Skillet Fork River where the main Village waterline crosses to carry water to the Village from Springerton. In January of 2023, the line was irreparably damaged due to natural causes of the waterway and required replacement. The closest measurement for monitored water level of the Skillet Fork is in Wayne City.
The USDA Rural Development Office informed the Village that the ECWAG funding for the previous water leak under the Skillet Fork River was awaiting signatures in Washington D.C., and after that, the funds would be deposited to the Village.
A brief discussion broke out at the Village of Mill Shoals board meeting, with questions and concerns about how Mill Shoals would be able to fund a police officer or how many hours the village could afford.
Attorney Turpin was present and stated that the Illinois Training and Standards Board approved a plan for Mill Shoals to work with Enfield on getting a police officer in Mill Shoals, he suggested that a representative from Mill Shoals approach Enfield at their next meeting; Trustee West agreed to do that for the village. Attorney Turpin also said that he would prepare an Ordinance and that a Truth in Taxation Special Meeting could be considered to allow for funding opportunities.
Also during the meeting, the board agreed to have Dewey Eckleberry repair the Village’s garage doors for $2,290.
In the Treasurer’s Report, Village Treasurer James Murphy stated that no annual audit was required and that the Fiscal Year had ended. Murphy also said that he would follow up on the facts of holding a Truth in Taxation meeting.
Village Water and Streets Superintendent Wayne Carter relayed that he had replacement parts on order to fix the leak on Cherry Street and that he spoke to an IDOT Engineer about the cost of oil and chipping for some of the Village’s roads.
Trustee Young mentioned that the sewer pump station shuts down every time there is a storm and asked the board to consider reaching out to electricians; Clerk Tullis agreed and claimed he would try a secure a quote.
Lastly, mentioned that the sewer pump station shuts down every time there is a storm and asked the board to consider reaching out to electricians; Clerk Tullis agreed and claimed he would try a secure a quote. mentioned that the sewer pump station shuts down every time there is a storm and asked the board to consider reaching out to electricians; Clerk Tullis agreed and claimed he would try a secure a quote. Belonda Carl had written a letter asking the Village to take down a tree that was near her property. The board discussed the issue and decided to ask local tree services for bids to remove the tree. President Gray stated he would assess the tree situation, because some members were hesitant to cut it down.