Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approves tax levy request

The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Kaskaskia College. Attendees included Bill Hawley (Odin), Linda Stover (Centralia), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Craig Finke (Nashville), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), and Connor Wademan (Student Trustee). Jim Beasley (Centralia) and Louis Kalert (Centralia) were absent.

The board reviewed and approved a tax extension request of $12,528,490 for the 2024 levy, a 4.99% increase from 2023. This amount represents 23% of the estimated $55 million budget for fiscal year 2026. At the 2024 tax rate of 50.48 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000 would pay approximately $168 annually$12 less than the prior year, assuming no change in property value.

This levy request helps us keep moving forward while staying fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars, said KC President George Evans, commending Vice President of Administrative Services Sara Hanks and her team for their diligence in preparing the request.

The board also approved the abatement of the tax levy for the Fitness Center Bonds issued in 2008 and refinanced in 2018. Trustees must annually abate the potential bond levy per abatement requirements. Regarding annual property and casualty insurance coverage, the board approved Relations Insurance Services (formerly Kane Insurance Agency, Inc.) of Salem, IL's proposal for $529,799.

The board entered into a revised agreement with Select Physical Therapy Holdings, LLC, of Mt. Vernon, IL, to provide athletic training services for fiscal year 2025 to not exceed the amount of $33,727 but also retain the option to extend the agreement for an additional two fiscal years. Additionally, the board entered into a 5-year term agreement for elevator maintenance with KONE, Inc. of St. Louis, MO, for $52,640, with the option review for five additional one-year terms.

Other purchases approved by trustees included:

1. LED light fixtures from Springfield Electric of Mt. Vernon, IL, for $67,544, retrofitting over 800 light fixtures located throughout the Crisp Technology Center and the Cavaletto Agricultural Center with funding from the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) Grant.
2. Two simulation manikins for the instruction in the Paramedicine Program at the Vandalia Education Center from Laerdal Medical Corporation of Wappingers Falls, NY, for $42,495 with funding from a private donation.
3. A new 2025 Ford F150 Police Responder Crew Cab 4X4 Truck from Morrow Brothers Ford of Greenfield, IL, for $59,202 for the KC Public Safety Department.

In personnel action, the board accepted the resignations of Quinton McGuire (Custodian) and Shanon Wagner (Police Officer).