NOV 17, 2025​

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF ) ) Minutes Board of Trustees Regular Meeting November 17, 2025 President Eric Schuler called the second regular monthly meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:05 P.M. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes. Present : Brian Gleason Nichole Galloway Eric Schuler Jennifer Morgan Cristy Desormeaux Rachel Alstat Motion made by Christy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. Motion carried. Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Nichole Galloway, to approve the October revenue report. Motion carried. Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the list of bills pending approval of renewal of the risk management insurance with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Mark Kelly of Assured Partners was present to present renewal information for health insurance for the employees. The employees’ health insurance is currently with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Mr. Kelly explained that United Health, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield were now the only carriers in Illinois for small groups. He stated that insurance rates had increased significantly. The premium of $5,180.65 per month for the current employee insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield would have a 15% increase of $814.00 per month, resulting in a $9,768.00 increase for the year. The renewal rate for five full-time employees would be $5,994.65 per month. Mr. Kelly recommended staying with Blue Cross Blue Shield, because they had the best benefits and rate in comparison to the other carriers. Mr. Kelly had developed a Direct-to-Employer plan that would provide good benefits at a lower rate. He hoped the new plan would be available in January 2026. The Village would be able to switch to the Direct-to-Employer plan at any time when it became available if they wanted to. Motion made by Nichole Galloway, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to renew plan G532BCE with Blue Cross Blue Shield for the employees’ health insurance. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. The Village’s risk management insurance renews December 1, 2025. The premium would increase from $54,964.00 per year to $55,804.00. This rate is a 2% increase. Motion made by Nichole Galloway, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to renew the Village’s risk management insurance with Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust at an annual rate of $55,804.00 for the period December 1, 2025 to December 1, 2026. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Motion made by Nichole Galloway, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to give a $150.00 Christmas bonus to full-time employees and the utilities clerk and $75.00 to the part-time employees. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to reimburse De Soto Grade School teachers who want to make ornaments for the Christmas tree at the Gazebo up to $1.00 per student. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to table the Solar on Earth proposal until a representative can attend a meeting. Motion carried. Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Nichole Galloway, to purchase a chop saw from Ralph’s Small Engines for $1,130.37 to be split three ways between the Water, Sewer and Street funds. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Trustee Rachel Alstat reported that the Sewer Committee had met on November 6 with Harold Sheffer of J.T. Blankinship, Inc. to discuss the lagoon sludge removal and repair and renovation of the wastewater treatment system. Estimated cost for the sludge removal is $150,000.00 and $230,000.00 for the repair and renovation of the treatment system. The first step is to start the process of getting a sludge sample and sending it off for testing. The Committee decided the next step would be to hold a meeting with Gary Pierson, general manager of the Landfill. Trustee Alstat will schedule a meeting with Mr. Pierson, who is on vacation until November 24. Director of Public Works Danny Vancil reported that the Village needs a water meter reader. The vacancy will be posted for applicants. Motion made by Nichole Galloway, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to pass Ordinance 2025-7 levying taxes for all corporate purposes for the Village of De Soto for the fiscal year beginning May 1,2025 and ending April 30, 2026. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Nichole Galloway – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat - Yes. Motion carried. Ordinance incorporated by reference. The next village board meeting will be held Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the village hall. Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Rachel Alstat, to adjourn at 8:21 PM. Respectfully submitted, Paula J. Parks Village Clerk