The Minonk City Council dissolved TIF #3 at the normal Monday night meeting. The TIF #3 district was created in 2006 in anticipation of Section Six north of the city being developed into a raceway park. That never materialized and the city incurred debts of $99,000 which will be paid off from the general fund. By law a TIF district must be dissolved if no development occurs after 7 years from its inception.
In other business, the Council approved the tax levy of $507,786 for 2013 which is an increase of 0.9% from the previous year.
Mayor Koos said the ground on the fire site at Fifth and Chestnut has been seeded with grass seed.
Councilmen Nick Forini and Julie Redenius thanked Nick Petri for making the annual Minonk Parade of Lights a success.
Golf cart raffle
Parks & Recreation Director Rich Luckey told the council of the revised plan to raise funds through a raffle for a golf cart. The golf cart will be street ready. Luckey said the MidState Stars Soccer Club has agreed to purchase the golf cart and then have it paid off through the purchase of raffle tickets. Tickets will cost $10 each or 6 for $50. A minimum of 700 tickets must be sold to break even. If not enough tickets are sold, the ticket money will be refunded.
Luckey said the first $2500 will go to the MidState Stars Soccer Club and after that all revenue will be shared with 55% going to the Parks & Recreation Department and 45% of the proceeds going to the MidState Stars Soccer Club.
MidState Stars Soccer Club president Mike Zimmerman said the funds will help with expenses in running the soccer club. Zimmerman said the soccer program created by the MidState Stars Soccer Club has resulted in scholarships to college for 4 of its players.