Wilmington City Council

Dietz comments on plans for dealerships to move

Published by admin on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 3:31pm

Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz on Tuesday issued the following statement regarding plans for D’Orazio Ford and Arnie Bauer Chevy-Buick to close down shop in Wilmington in order to move to Braidwood:

Wilmington Mayor Dietz on proposed fees: ‘Make sure we get it right’

Published by admin on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 3:34pm

In May, local business leaders approached members of the Wilmington City Council to object to a proposed increase in businesses license fees and the addition of a new, higher fee structure for video gaming terminals (VGT).

During the May 17 regular meeting of the City Council, several business owners showed up to object to the new fees. The proposed business license fee would create a fee structure for businesses licenses that is 10 times the present rate, while the proposed VGT fee would increase fees by $200 per machine.

Wilmington utility bill increase takes effect this month

Published by admin on Tue, 05/31/2022 - 5:27pm

Wilmington residents will see an increase when they open their water bill this month.

That message, when sent out in mid-May on the city’s Facebook page, stirred up several residents who said the city already charges too much for the monthly utility.

Wilmington earns grant for downtown parking

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 5:01pm

Grant funding from the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau will help pay for Wilmington’s long-planned downtown city parking lot.

On May 17, city leaders announced that the Heritage Corridor had awarded the city a grant for a new municipal parking lot on Water Street. The grant will help the city complete the planned parking space downtown along Water Street, backing up to the alley that runs along the Mill Race.

Wilmington business owners cry foul at proposed fee increases

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 4:58pm

The city of Wilmington will regroup when it comes to two measures that would increase revenue into the city’s coffers.

On May 17, local business leaders approached the City Council regarding a proposed increase to business licenses. While that increase was not on the agenda for a vote this month, it was discussed during the May 10 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Ben Dietz further discussed the issue with business owners during this month’s meeting of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Wilmington City Council, zoning board look to a better future

Published by admin on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 4:42pm

The city of Wilmington is looking to address head on issues that could get in the way when it comes to growth.

On May 3, the members of the City Council held a joint meeting with members of the Planning and Zoning Commission in a discussion and brainstorm session on ideas and plans to promote progress in Wilmington.

Wilmington budget approved for new fiscal year

Published by admin on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 4:37pm

The city of Wilmington has a budget in place for the next operating year.

On May 3, the Wilmington City Council held a public hearing regarding the budget for the 2023 fiscal year (FY23), which began on May 1.

According to the staff report, the primary focus for the FY23 budget is to address deferred maintenance projects, and to prioritize goals and objectives for the next three budget cycles.

Across all funds, the city anticipates FY23 revenues of $18.9 million, and expenditures of $19.4 million.

Wilmington police to utilize private fingerprint service

Published by admin on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 5:07pm

The Wilmington Police Department will utilize an outside fingerprint service, in an effort to quickly clear high level cases.

On April 19, the Wilmington City Council approved a contract with R.E. Walsh & Associates, Inc. of Oak Brook to perform timely latent print examinations and database searches utilizing the FBI next generation identification (NGI) system for serious or high profile crimes, at a rate of $125 per hour.

Grant funds distributed to first downtown Wilmington businesses

Published by admin on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 5:06pm

The Wilmington City Council has approved the first disbursements for downtown business owners who have updated their properties all while taking advantage of what was once a little known grant program offered by the city.

On April 19, the members of the city council approved two payments from the program, one to the Blue Horse in the amount of $1,375, and a second to The Haircare in the amount of $5,000.

Savings to be rolled into next year’s maintenance budget in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 5:02pm

The city of Wilmington will see a larger than expected savings in budgeted spending when the current fiscal year ends. But, those savings are the result of delayed projects that will instead be bumped into the next fiscal year.

The City Council’s finance committee met on April 19 to discuss the numbers for the current fiscal year (FY22), which ends on April 30.

“There are some timing issues with some capital projects that the city has going on, mainly in water and sewer, and also a few road projects,” Finance director Matt Hoffman told the members of the committee.