Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees for December 2, 2025

December 12, 2025/
Spread the love

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | December 2, 2025

Overall Meeting Summary
The Manhattan Village Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to address a mixture of financial planning, land development, and operational needs. The most significant action of the night was the finalization of the annexation of Round Barn Farm Park, a move that partners the village with the Park District to create a new wedding and event venue. The board also handled annual fiscal responsibilities by passing the 2025 property tax levy and abating taxes for various bond issues.

Public safety and infrastructure were also key themes, with Police Chief Jeff Gulli reporting zero accidents at the Route 52 and North Street intersection since new stop signs were installed. The board also moved to strengthen the village’s snow removal capabilities by hiring seasonal staff and purchasing a used snowplow truck at a significant discount compared to a new model.

News Briefs

Tax Abatements Approved:
The board passed a series of ordinances to abate (not collect) property taxes for the 2025 tax year regarding several general obligation bonds. These include the Series 2016 and 2021 refunding bonds, the Series 2024 bonds for the water treatment facility, and bonds related to Special Service Areas for Brookstone Springs and Stonegate. These abatements are a standard procedure where the village uses other available funds to pay the debt service rather than levying specific property taxes for them.

Insurance Renewals Authorized:
Trustees voted to renew the village’s insurance coverage for the upcoming year. This includes property, casualty, liability, cyber, and workers’ compensation insurance through Marsh McLennan Agency. The board also renewed employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, through Risk Strategies with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Principal. Finance Director Justin VanVooren noted a new health reimbursement arrangement option designed to help manage premium costs.

Consent Agenda Passed:
The board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included the meeting minutes from November 18, 2025, and the bills list for December 2, 2025. There was no separate discussion on these items.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democratic lawmakers grilled major Trump administration officials in a series of congressional hearings Thursday, questioning the millions in federal program cuts proposed by the president’s...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square After Kansas passed legislation to prevent “lawfare” – or the making of policies apart from the legal process – a consumer protection organization said other...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Federal funds totaling $73 million will be withheld from New York by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....
New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Federal funds totaling $73 million will be withheld from New York by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....
Struggling DHS agencies plead with Congress for funding security

Struggling DHS agencies plead with Congress for funding security

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Department of Homeland Security agencies are requesting a total of $63 billion in fiscal year 2027 appropriations from Congress – even as Congress continues to...

WATCH: U.S. military strikes continue daily along Pacific drug routes

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. military's recent surge against suspected drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific has underscored President Donald Trump's aggressive anti-drug strategy, with five deadly strikes...
law and authority lawyer concept, judgment gavel hammer in court courtroom for crime judgement legislation and judicial decision, judge having justice of punishment guilt and criminal verdict legal

Indiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder

Article Summary: State prosecutors have officially transferred the first-degree murder case against Julius Burkes to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 47-year-old Indiana man now faces federal charges, including the...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1...
U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure, 224-204, to extend temporary protected status to Haitian nationals living in the United States. Ten House Republicans...
U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure, 224-204, to extend temporary protected status to Haitian nationals living in the United States. Ten House Republicans...