Pinckneyville Police Pension Fund to Raise Taxes

Commissioner Leonard Heisner Monday said the Police Pension Board has informed the city that the state has increased the city's contribution from $124,000 to $199,645 in the coming year. The change came too late to be fully reflected in the city's corporate tax levy for the current year.

To fully cover the cost increase, the city would have had to hold a truth in taxation hearing and did not have time to schedule one. Heisner said the levy was increased as far as was allowed, keeping the cost under 105 percent of the previous year's.

The council approved an ordinance levying $559,300 for corporate purposes. Last year, Pinckneyville asked for $533,839.

In other business, the board:

• passed an ordinance authorizing a lease/purchase agreement with Randy Junger for the former Wickwire building on North Main Street. Commissioner Sam Fulk said the city will move its street department there. The street department's equipment is currently housed on Waterworks Road, in an area that floods. The city will pay $1,000 per month and can purchase the property at a cost of $121,000.