Du Quoin Gets $35,000 Storm Rebate

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Emergency Management Services spokesman David Searby told members of the Du Quoin City Council Monday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is reimbursing the city $35,405 for police, fire, street, water and ESDA time and services from last April's devastating storm. The funds should arrive in the next 30 days and are included in the city's 2012 revenue budget.

The council met briefly Monday night and approved a $495,484 tax levy for next year which will be used to pay pension liabilities and a $71,250 library levy. City administrator Blaine Bastien said the city should show a $24,371 surplus by year's end despite some pricey expenditures that include water tower repairs, water main replacement on East Main Street, an alley reconstruction and a new fire truck. The council voted $93,900 for a new Ford F750 dump truck, snow plow and salt spreader from Joe Hotze Ford of Salem for the street department.

The council approved a new contract with Perry Ridge landfill to accept leachate and sludge at the wastewater plant. The contract generates over $40,000 in revenue a year.

After a public hearing held Nov. 17 in Pinckneyville the council voted to extend the Enterprise Zone sales tax abatement program for 10 years.

Commissioner Rex Duncan conveyed the city's sympathy to the Zoller family at the loss of business icon Clarence Zoller and to the Hamilton family at the loss of Robert Hamilton.

Mayor John Rednour also noted the great cooperation between the cities of Du Quoin and Pinckneyville.