Freeburg board adopts ordinance, reinvests CDs and awards administrator a 5% raise

The Village of Freeburg Board of Trustees on Feb. 2 adopted an amendment to the village code, authorized short-term reinvestment of two maturing certificates of deposit and approved personnel-related payouts and a pay increase for the village administrator.

Trustees voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1811, an amendment to Chapter 33 of the revised village code. Trustee Dana Miller moved adoption by title only, and Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling seconded; the motion passed on a roll call vote with six trustees voting aye.

In finance business, Trustee Tom Carpenter moved to reinvest an Electric CD maturing Feb. 9 for $59,310.30 and a Sewer CD maturing Feb. 3 for $548,605.60 at Citizens Community Bank for six months at a 3.75% interest rate; Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling seconded. The board approved the reinvestment by roll call (six ayes). Treasurer Bryan A. Vogel and Village Administrator Matt Trout had briefed trustees on fund balances and the recommendation to place the funds short term.

On personnel matters, Trustee Elizabeth (Lisa) Meehling moved and Trustee James (Mike) Blaies seconded a 5% salary increase for Village Administrator Matt Trout; the board approved the raise by roll call (six ayes). The board also voted to approve payout requests from two retiring employees: John Tolan (payment for 14.5 days of accrued vacation) and Stan Ruhmann (payment for the listed compensatory and vacation hours). Both payout motions were moved by Trustee Meehling and carried on roll-call votes with six trustees voting aye.

All formal motions recorded during the meeting were adopted by unanimous trustee votes among the members present. The board completed other committee reports and routine business before adjourning at 7:57 p.m.