News

Macomb, IL – Macomb will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing on its proposed tax levy. The hearing will take place during the city council's December 19 meeting. The hearing is required because the proposed new levy is more than 5% larger than the current one. City Administrator Mike Hays says Macomb is getting $1.19 million this year. The new levy seeks more than $1.2 million. He says the city needs the extra money to keep up with increasing expenses for items such as energy and health insurance. Hays says the owner of a $90,000 home would pay an extra $3.31 to the city.

Keokuk, IA – Construction could soon begin on a major renovation project at Keokuk Area Hospital. The "Special Delivery" Capital Campaign kicked off in May. The goal is to raise $1,000,000 for the complete renovation of the obstetrics department at Keokuk Area Hospital. Phase I involves outfitting special private rooms for expectant mothers.

You can hear Public Radio's Jason Parrott's interview with Community Relations Director, Rhonda Schreck, and Hospital Foundation Executive Director, Sandy Seabold, by clicking on the audio link above.

Macomb, IL – A review of the news in the tri-states region from November 2005.

Rushville, IL – Mapping problems will slow the deriving of new values for Schuyler County's farmland. Supervisor of Assessments Suzette Rice says her office is using an outside firm to prepare some of the digital maps. Rice says the company has been unable to provide some of the data as quickly as she wanted. She's told the county board she probably will not have all farmland revalued until the end of next year. Rice says the state has indicated the average value will drop, but some parcels will receive a higher value.

Augusta, IL – The village of Augusta has completed its first emergency plan and is preparing to expand it. Committee chairwoman Cyndia Avise says her 16-member group wanted to complete a plan that would let the village continue for up to three days before outside help could come. She says there is emphasis on local resources. These include a contractor with equipment that could be used for rescue and community members with bedding, clothing or generators. Avise says the plan has been tested with a tabletop drill. The next step is working on plans for specific emergencies.

Warsaw, IL – The Warsaw City Council will be making some repairs to its water plant a little sooner than expected. The council has declared its water plant a public health and safety emergency. City leaders say by doing so, the council can immediately address some needed repairs, instead of waiting to receive bids for the project. Following the vote, the council hired Tri-County Electric to make the electrical and computer repairs at a cost of no more than $35,000.

Keokuk, IA – New stop signs will not be going up near the Kiddieland playground in Keokuk's Rand Park. The city council voted down a measure that would have created a 3-way stop at the intersection of 16th and Orleans. Mayor Dave Gudgel says numerous phone calls came in to city leaders opposing the signs in that location. Police Chief Tom Crew says the stop signs would have posed a safety risk during icy conditions and impact emergency routes. The city may put up children at play signs in the area.

Carthage, IL – A new Illinois assessment system is expected to have Hancock County farmland values decline an average of about eight percent. Supervisor of Assessments Dale Bolton says the new system rates farmland on the soil type, instead of the previous University of Illinois-issued productivity index. Bolton says some land will go down, and some could more than double its tax value. He says as farmland values drop, other types of personal property could be more heavily taxed to make up the difference.