Beecher Thinking About That Levy

By Jeff Vorva

The Village of Beecher Board Members agreed to take a little more time before deciding what they will do about the 2024 tax levy.

Finance and Administration Committee Chairman Todd Kraus said at the November 27 meeting they could make a decision that night or table it, but it needs to be voted on by the end of the December 11 meeting.

“Staff had prepared two ordinances,” Kraus said. “One is at a 2 percent increase as authorized and a second is at 0 percent, or the same as last year. The difference of the two levies is $13,392 or about $7.75 per tax bill in the village.”

He added that he met with new Village Administrator Charity Mitchell and retiring Administrator Robert Barber about the village’s future financial situation.

After a 10-minute discussion, the board tabled it. It appears the members don’t want the 2 percent increase, but it may be a necessity.

Some of the concerns include a heavy sewer rate increase coming soon.

“All of our costs are going up just like everyone else’s,” Mayor Marcy Meyer said. “Everyone goes to the store, and everything is going up. Everything goes up. Our costs are not frozen. When those sewer and water rates go up, something is going to have to happen.”

A motion for the 0 percent increase died because there was the lack of a second.

Cannabis facility a go

The board voted to authorize a special use permit for the Craft Grow Cannabis Facility at 744 W. Church Road.

After holding a recent public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission gave its blessing for the facility with three conditions.

•First, a site plan showing the exact locations of buildings and site improvements including all setbacks must be provided.

•Second, a drainage plan must be submitted and approved.

•Third, the layout must provide adequate turning radius for fire equipment.

The cannabis-growing facility has been in idea that has been in the works since before the pandemic.

Police building changes

The board voted to pay $12,680 to Kankakee-based Piggush Engineering to revise plans for the new police facility.

The station, to be located at 250 W. Church Rd., will be moved south of the original plan, some of the parking will be eliminated, and there will not be a use for retaining walls. The savings should be about $150,000.

The village planned on a $4 million price tag for the facility, but when the bids all came in, officials were looking at $6 million and needed to make adjustments.

New bids will go out in January, with the hope of getting it close to the $4 million mark.