By Andrea Arens

Debra Ivanoff, the Peotone Police Department’s Records Clerk, tendered her resignation after 26 years with the department.

In turn, the village board, updated the job description and changed the official title to Administrative Assistant/Community Liaison. The salary is expected to be comparable and commensurate with experience.

In keeping with the theme, the village board also hired James Haag as a part-time seasonal worker in the public works department.

The board also went to executive session and returned to approve exempt status and a $5K annual increase for Public Works Manager Robert Hennke, who has been with the Peotone Public Works Department for 20 years.

A new business license registration for Janski Designs, at 120 N. Second Street, also was unanimously approved. The business will sell rocks, minerals, and custom silver jewelry.

In committee reports, Trustee Gary Hudson reviewed the discussion topics at the Administrative Oversight Committee meeting. Hudson touched on the job description updates and mentioned removing some other non-existent job titles. Hudson also said there was discussion about possibly adding a one percent food and beverage tax within village limits to increase revenue. If added, the sales tax would come just as Governor Pritzker’s Covid grocery tax suspension is set to expire. Pritzker’s gas tax increase was repealed during Covid, and that increase is set to take place this year as well.

Hudson said, “This is a way of bringing in revenue that isn’t just dependent on the people who live here but also the people who visit here. I know it’s a tax, and we don’t like taxes, but it’s something that’s not a huge tax, and it’s a way of gaining some more revenue.”

In turn, Hudson said the village would look to eliminate vehicle stickers. “It’s very possible that’s something that could go away this coming year or the next year; that hasn’t been decided yet. We’re going to add a tax and take a tax away.”

Mayor Peter March shared he attended the Will County Committee for Economic Development meeting, and Peotone and its economic development was mentioned. March also shared the budget is online for the public to view and encouraged residents to take a look at it.

Village Clerk Stacey Hartwell also celebrated a 10-year work anniversary with the village.