280-foot structure in Elmwood would help emergency responses
By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post
ELMWOOD – The Elmwood skyline, such as it is, might receive a new feature.
Peoria County officials want to construct a tower in Elmwood to facilitate emergency response. An ideal spot for the proposed 280-foot galvanized-steel structure is near the city water tower on the west side of town, according to John Doering, a member of the Peoria-Stark Emergency Telephone System Board.
“This group is step one for us,” Doering told the Elmwood City Council when it met Sept. 9. “There are a lot of hoops to go through before we can even think about breaking ground.”
The council took no formal action regarding Doering’s presentation. Council members appeared receptive to initiating the development process but suggested Doering meet with Elmwood public-works representatives to make sure their operations and the proposed tower are compatible.
A tower probably would cost the county about $1.2 million, according to Doering. There would be no cost to the city. The desired land lease would be perpetual and free of charge, according to Doering.
“We can put it in a lot of different places, but a municipality is usually something where we can work with them and don’t have to worry about them coming back in 10 years and saying, ‘I’d like some rent,’” Doering said.
Land near Sweetwater Park in Elmwood was considered for the proposed tower but was deemed too low, according to Doering. Another possibility was near Illinois routes 8 and 78 north of the city, but an in-town site would be more secure.
The proposed tower is expected to enhance Elmwood-area coverage for police, fire and emergency-medical 911 calls. The closest current tower to Elmwood is near Kickapoo, Doering said. The purpose of a fire-centric tower in Yates City probably would be relocated to the proposed tower.
Following Doering’s presentation, the council authorized a parking ban along the north side of the 200 block of E. Main St. Alderman Tim Teel cited visibility and traffic flow as reasons for the on-street parking prohibition, which councilors discussed last month.
“I talked to a couple of people in that area. They all see the same things,” Teel said.
The council approved a budget and appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. Total appropriations are estimated to be $7,637,033. A small surplus in the overall budget is expected, according to City Attorney Bob Potts, although the general fund is projected to have a deficit of $4,313.
Also approved was city continuation of a 1% sales tax on groceries, a state-imposed levy that is to expire Jan. 1. Municipalities have until next month to decide whether to retain the tax.
“If we don’t pass this tax, we’ll have a shortfall,” Mayor Andrew Almasi said. “You’ll have to increase taxes somewhere else next year. In the end, I don’t think we’re saving anybody anything by not approving it.”
It isn’t clear how much money the city receives annually from the grocery sales tax. City Treasurer Bonnie Beal said she didn’t have time to investigate. Projected overall sales-tax revenue is about $230,000, according to Potts.
Other items that received council assent were:
• A $30,000 additional expense with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly of Springfield to extend an engineering-study contract regarding the planned reconstruction of the city wastewater lagoon system. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requests have caused CMT to redo some work, according to Alderman Nathan Brunnelson. The original deal with CMT was for $50,000.
• Permission for the Knights of Columbus to conduct its annual Tootsie Roll drive on city streets Friday and Saturday (Sept. 19-20).
• Appointment of Almasi as the city Illinois Freedom of Information Act officer.
