Meredosia Taking Legal Action Over Rundown Properties

MEREDOSIA, Ill. — Village leaders in Meredosia are moving ahead with legal action as part of an effort to address rundown properties in the community.

Mayor Kenneth Scott III and Police Chief Derek Suttles are scheduled to go to court Monday in connection with a Marion Street property owner. Scott said too many run-down properties can affect the village’s flood plain insurance rates, adding another concern beyond the appearance and safety of blighted homes.

Suttles told village board members that Morgan County officials contacted him for a list of houses in Meredosia that need to be torn down. The county is seeking a grant that could help pay demolition and legal costs, though officials said that process could take an estimated three years. Suttles said he provided a list of seven or eight houses.

In other village business, Suttles asked the board to consider additional pay of four or five dollars an hour for Meredosia police officers working extra community events such as May Days, with no more than two officers working per event.

Board member Mark Campbell also raised complaints about the back of the cemetery not being mowed. Scott said the issue would be brought to Jack Gregory, whose contract requires written notice of complaints and five to seven days to correct them.

The board also heard an electricity aggregation presentation from Reg Ankrom of Simec LLC comparing Ameren Illinois and Homefield Energy supply rates. Ankrom said Ameren’s summer rate is 0.11326 cents per kilowatt hour, while Homefield’s fixed 12-month rate is 0.1049 cents per kilowatt hour. Scott said he was not yet sure whether he would sign a contract. Residents would be able to opt out if the village chooses the Homefield rate.

Board members also approved an ordinance change for non-highway vehicles, requiring turn signals and requiring permit stickers to be placed on the back hazard sign of the vehicle.