January 2026 Board Minutes
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Dodds.
Trustees present were:
· Rick Norton - Aye
· David Rathke - Aye
· Janice Edwards - Aye
· Dustin McCarty - Aye
· Charles Morefield - Aye
· Vincent Beck - Aye
Also present were Superintendent of Maintenance Josh Hereford, Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance Nick Sandage, Police Chief Ritchie Cooper, School Resource Officer Benjamin Thorndyke and Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Village Treasurer Connie Gossmeyer gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2025.
· Beginning Balance $ 88,989.06
· Ending Balance $114,596.42
· Increase for the month of December 2025 $ 25,607.36
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2025. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Public comments-Items on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Special Reports
Police Department-Police Chief Ritchie Cooper states reports were completed regarding civil dispute, child neglect, financial identity theft, disorderly conduct. Ritchie states there is a continuous dispute among neighbors regarding property lines. The police department has received several calls to the residences.
Maintenance Department- Josh and Nick plowed and salted as needed. After the snow melted the remaining piles of leaves along the curbs were picked up. The new testing equipment for the Nitrification Plan, required by the EPA, has arrived. Josh and Nick also installed a new drain and a 30-gallon barrel in the chemical room of the water plant to make a wash out basin as required by the EPA as well. All daily and monthly general maintenance was completed.
Animal Control/Zoning- Report in your folders for review.
EMA- Report in your folders for review.
Mayor’s Report- A list of revenue for December 2025 is in the report for review. Mayor Dodds has registered to be a part of two legislative updates for 2026, sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension. Mayor Dodds set forth the following resolutions for 2026. I resolves to stay healthy for the entirety of 2029 so the board, staff and I can complete some of the projects on our wish list including water and sewer infrastructure repairs and improvements throughout the town, continue to provide the special services to our resident like leaf and landscape pick-up, provide large items dumpster and big-item pick up and snow removal on a timely basis. Larry also resolves to work with the Colfax Restoration Project to continue to make improvements and focus on the many goals for Colfax restoration of the Methodist Church, replacing the façade and windows of the American Legion, beautification of the downtown area and helping to enhance and stabilize local businesses in our community.
Committee Reports
Finance and Audit Committee Chairman, Rick Norton, reviewed an excel spreadsheet regarding the trend in the expenses in Fiscal Year 2024-2025. An estimate of increased revenue was reviewed regarding the increase in the water and sewer fees.
Police and Liquor Committee Chairman, David Rathke, has nothing to report at this time.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Vincent Beck, has nothing to report at this time.
Streets and Lights Committee Chairman, Janice Edwards, has nothing to report at this time. Committee meeting scheduled for February 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Maintenance Equipment and Vehicle Committee Chairman, Charles Morefield, has nothing to report at this time. Meeting scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Old Business:
First item of Old Business was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-01, An Ordinance Establishing a Water Infrastructure Fee and Amending Water Rates for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Vincent Beck made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-01, An Ordinance Establishing a Water Infrastructure Fee and Amending Water Rates for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-02, An Ordinance Establishing a Sewer Infrastructure Fee and Amending Sewer Rates for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-02, An Ordinance Establishing a Sewer Infrastructure Fee and Amending Sewer Rates for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Charles Morefield seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Next on the agenda was the review and approval of Ordinance No. 2026-03, An Ordinance Amending Public Stormwater Control Infrastructure Fee for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Trustee Charles Morefield made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2026-03, An Ordinance Amending Public Stormwater Control Infrastructure Fee for the Village of Colfax, McLean County, Illinois. Trustee Dustin McCarty seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
New Business:
First item of New Business was the Required Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for all employees to comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act. Portia Vandegraft, Village Clerk, will send everyone the link to the video to watch. Please complete it prior to the February Board of Trustees Meeting, as you will need to certify it has been completed.
Public comments-Items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
Trustee Rick Norton made a motion to adjourn. Trustee David Rathke seconded the motion. Vote: Rick Norton-Aye, David Rathke-Aye, Janice Edwards-Aye, Dustin McCarty-Aye, Charles Morefield-Aye, Vincent Beck-Aye. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Portia Vandegraft
Village Clerk