The Maune Development Company has broken ground on Eastport Tech Center III, its third building in Collinsville’s Eastport Plaza. The 53,417-square-foot, office/warehouse building at 1607 Eastport Plaza Drive has pre-leases on more than 50 percent of its space. The contractor is Maune Construction Services, LLC. The scheduled completion date is February 2016. (Photo The Maune Company)

Madison County proposed budget requires no tax increase for 2016

A proposed 2016 Madison County budget, presented by County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan to the board’s Finance and Government Operations Committee Oct. 16, calls for no increase in the county’s property tax levy and a 1 percent reduction in overall spending.

The $129,032,000 budget – down from $130,317,000 this year – includes $5.98 million in capital improvement projects, notably renovations at the county jail.

However, increased capital improvements costs would be offset but cuts in other spending, Chairman Dunstan told the committee. The county has no outstanding debt.

The full Madison County Board is scheduled to consider the proposed budget Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Lack of hydrant hampers firefighters battling Cahokia apartment blaze

Efforts to save an eight-unit Cahokia apartment building, destroyed by fire Oct. 20, were complicated by lack of a functioning fire hydrant nearby; however, the structure would likely have been lost anyway, according to Cahokia Volunteer Fire Department officials.

Firefighters say the center section on the two-story building on Cooper Lane was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived on the scene. The roof and upper floor collapsed moments later.

Because the nearest water source was more than 1,000 feet away, Cahokia firefighters called for other area departments to assist in transporting water to the scene by tank truck.

Only four of the apartment units were occupied at the time of the blaze and only minor injuries were reported. A kitchen grease fire is suspected as the cause of the blaze.

Monroe County tax payments due

All second installment payments on Monroe County 2014 real estate tax bills are due Wednesday, Oct. 28. Tax bills for real estate on the county were mailed Aug. 11. Initial installments were due Sept. 18.

Payments are accepted at local banks, online through Illinois E-Pay and at the Monroe County Treasurer’s Office, which is located in the Monroe County Courthouse, 100 South Main, Waterloo, Illinois, 62298.

O’Fallon eyes community center

O’Fallon residents are invited to a public meeting on the city’s proposed development of an indoor recreation center. Mayor Gary Graham and the O’Fallon Parks & Recreation Department are attempting to gauge public interest, as well as assess demand for specific recreation programs and facilities, as part of a feasibility study. The city retained the planning firm of Ballard*King & Associates to conduct the study.

The public input session is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Katy Cavins Community Center. 308 E Fifth St.

Public input sought on I-64 access at Tudor-Piggott Ave.  

The St. Clair County Highway Department has begun formally studying whether improved roadway connection are warranted between the I-64 ramps at Tudor-Piggott Avenue and Illinois Route 15 in East St. Louis.

The study is focused on an area between the I-64 ramps at Tudor-Piggott; Route 15 from Eighth Street to 38th Street.; and land north of the railroad tracks near Wilford and Boismenue avenues.

A highway department project team, appointed to oversee the initiative, is now accepting applications for a citizens advisory group (CAG) on the project. Three public meetings as well as “one-on-one” meetings with area property owners and other interested parties will be scheduled, according to the department.  Comments on the project are also being accepted by text, email and telephone.

For additional information, see www.co.st-clair.il.us or call (618) 669-0999.

Leadership Council names four to executive committee

The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois last week named to its executive committee Marcia Campbell, secretary-treasurer for the Illinois Federation of Teachers; Keith J. Cook, market president for regions bank; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Interim Chancellor Stephen Hansen; and Don Vichitvongsa, general manager at SunCoke Energy. The Leadership Council workers to foster economic development in Madison and St. Clair counties.

SWIC plans $1.2 million in improvements

The Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Board of Trustees is requesting $1.2 million in funding from the Illinois Community College Board for “protection, health, safety”-related improvement projects next year at the college’s Belleville and Granite City campuses.  The request, approved by the SWIC board Oct.21, covers relocation of the emergency diesel supply at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus ($389,025), as well as five projects at the Belleville campus: gym drainage and flooring improvements ($250,775), gym boiler and piping replacement ($196,140), air conditioner chiller replacement at the Schmidt Art Center ($179,010) and other campus infrastructure and restroom improvements ($185,050) at the Belleville campus. The college is required by law to submit a list of propose health and safety improvement projects to the ICC annually.

–Metro East News Briefs–