Quincy City Council and Town Board Meeting – April 13, 2026: Budget, Library Funding, and Solar Special Use Permit

The Quincy City Council and Town Board met in Council Chambers on Monday, April 13, 2026. The meeting included the swearing-in of a police officer, approval of the Town of Quincy budget and tax levy, a lengthy public comment period focused on library funding, approval of the consent agenda, discussion of a community solar special use permit, and adoption of ordinances including an amended FY2026-27 city budget.

Opening Business / Minutes

• The Council approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 6, 2026 and the Town Business meeting of March 9, 2026, with an amendment clarifying the mayor's previous vote on a library-related motion.
• QPD Officer Tony Bartolomucci #153 was sworn in; he returned to the department after previously serving for nine and a half years.

Town Business

• The Council, sitting as the Town Board, suspended rules to hear public testimony on the proposed Town Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for FY 2026-2027; no one testified.
• The Town Board adopted the annual Town Budget and Appropriation Ordinance and the annual Town Tax Levy for the fiscal year beginning March 21, 2026 and ending March 20, 2027.
• Accepted the March 2026 General Assistance report from the Town Supervisor, which noted a month-end balance of $148,341.84 on March 31, 2026, and the Town Auditing Committee report for April 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• More than two dozen people signed up to speak; the majority addressed proposed changes to city funding for the public library. Many expressed strong support for full library funding and opposed reducing the city subsidy.
• Carrie Watson said her husband and family supported the library but opposed giving it an additional $300,000+ and believed in careful budgeting; she also defended the dedication of council members from personal criticism.
• Danny Hurrells cited a petition with more than 300 signatures calling for accountability, criticized council for disregarding voter priorities, and said the library funding compromise would force cuts to programming and outreach.
• Erla Thomas called the funding decision a moral test, described the library as a sanctuary for vulnerable residents, and urged the council not to base decisions on a single personal experience.
• Multiple residents noted the library's long history of city subsidy, the high number of library visits, and its importance to literacy and the community. One resident stated that 46% of Americans are functionally illiterate and pointed to the library as a critical resource.
• A library board member emphasized that roughly 100,000 people use the library each year and urged the council to provide a sustainable, continuing subsidy.
• One resident defended an unnamed council member from "unfair" online attacks and said residents should not be forced to fund the library through taxes.
• Another resident suggested placing a library tax increase question on the ballot for voters to decide.
• Some commenters also raised concerns about council members' social media conduct and asked for more transparent budget information.
• The Mayor responded by saying the budget is complicated and no single department is being targeted; he noted that $2 million had been cut before the budget was made public. He said the library's budget is not being cut, but the city subsidy is being reduced, and the city and library will share resources and work together.

Consent Agenda

• The consent agenda was approved by one motion with no items removed.
• Raffle permits approved for Quincy Elks Lodge 100 (April 14, 2026 – April 13, 2027) and Tristate Diversity Coalition (June 20 – September 20, 2026), with bond requirements waived.
• Revocable encroachment permits approved for James Campbell's sign at 922 Maine Street (Ward 7) and for Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House parade signs (all wards), subject to conditions.
• Special event permits approved for the Dogwood Parade (May 2, 2026, 9:30 a.m.), the Dogwood Parade Festival at Lorenzo Bull Park (May 2, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), and Open Arms Ministries Church's six Downtown Community Outreach events.
• Items referred to the Quincy Plan Commission included a parking-lot expansion for St. Francis Solanus Church, a planned development for video gaming terminals at 1002 N. 24th Street, an automotive repair business at 426 State Street, commercial storage at 5200 Columbus Road, a subdivision request for 5200 Columbus Road, and a 2.99 MWac commercial solar facility at 2011 N. 24th Street.
• Sales tax reports for January 2026 were received: $994,671.24 in sales tax and $1,027,334.38 in home rule sales tax.
• Resolutions approved included: $48,068 for a replacement police vehicle; $17,159 for a Lexipol policy management subscription; $86,400/year for health insurance brokerage services from Cottingham and Butler beginning July 1, 2026; and a $131,125 airport land lease with Moss Farms.

Discussion Items

• The Council took up the tabled Plan Commission recommendation for a Special Use Permit for a 3-megawatt community solar project at 3909 Wisman Lane (zoning M3). Staff explained that large-scale solar is not allowed by right, that industrial sites are preferred under Chapter 164, and that the site had no nearby residential properties. Staff reported that all seven review criteria were met; the Plan Commission recommended approval with a couple of no votes. A roll-call vote followed, but the tally is not clearly discernible from the transcript.

Ordinances

• Adopted an ordinance amending off-street parking requirements to allow parking at 1304 South 17th Street (Ward 6).
• Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 51 (Plumbing and Sewers) and Chapter 52 (Water) to change water and sewer rates and charges.
• Adopted an ordinance amending the Traffic Code to regulate low-speed electric scooters, low-speed electric bicycles, and low-speed gas bicycles, including operating on public sidewalks.
• Received the second presentation of the Annual Operating Budget for FY ending April 30, 2027. The Council approved amendments, including shifting $1,000,000 between revenue lines and other technical revisions, and scheduled the final presentation for the following week.
• Received the first presentation of an ordinance granting a Special Use Permit for a Planned Development for a small engine repair shop at 6201 Hickory Grove North (outside city limits near Ward 3).

Mayor's Comments / Announcements

• The Mayor asked for a moment of silence for Jamie Mall, wife of a former mayor, who passed away.
• The city's wastewater treatment plant was nominated for the 2025 best-operated plant award by the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators; it was one of three nominees statewide.
• The Mayor recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18) and thanked 911 operators.
• Upcoming events announced: a flag-raising ceremony at Quincy Regional Airport on April 30 at 11 a.m.; a Ward 6 and 7 town hall on April 26 from 1–3 p.m.; and the League of Women Voters of Adams County annual meeting on April 19 at the Lorenzo Bull House.
• During Council comments, one alderman apologized for past social media comments and asked for forgiveness; another noted that public discourse should be respectful on all sides.

Executive Session & Adjournment

• The Council moved into closed/executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), (c)(5), and (c)(6) for collective bargaining negotiations and real estate matters, and then adjourned.