Police Chief Millikin Delivers Annual Report To Okawville Village Board
By Jill Moon
The Okawville Village Board received a comprehensive report from Chief of Police Stephen Millikin on police activities from 2014 compared with data from 2015.
Included was the increase of 513 total calls, an increase of 37 arrests, an increase of 300 total traffic stops with an increase of 12 resulting in citations. Traffic accidents increased by 11.
In a steadily climbing number of total calls from 1544 in 2011 this number reached 2289 in 2015. The number of these calls resulting in police action being taken increased from 352 in 2011 to 732 in 2015. The only statistic that did not increase was the number of police labor overtime hours. The board praised Chief Milliken and his officers for this achievement.
Other news reported by the Police Committee was the receipt of $1484.76 from the circuit court and $2922.51 from local video gaming.
Trustee Nathan Dick reported the committee had received bids to repair the water tower standpipe which is leaking. He introduced a motion to hire Flo-Systems and Engineering America to make the repairs. The cost would include inspection and be $7,970 or less. He also reported that the BD pump gears, which had been operating for 10 years or more, had quit operating and had been replaced for approximately $500.
Trustee Nathan Dick reported that flashing crosswalk signs were now installed at Front and Memorial Drive. He proposed that the Village buy a skidsteer and attachments for $26,500 to use in street work. It is being sold by resident Mike Kuhn. The motion passed. It will be paid for in two payments. There are a few street signs that have not been spoken for yet. Interested persons can contact the Village Secretary to check on availability and reserve one.
Trustee Rhonda Pryor proposed a motion to eliminate the current residency requirement for full time Village employees. This motion passed. She also introduced a motion that Village employees be paid time and a half for overtime hours worked or in compensatory time. Employees must notify the Village Secretary within eight working hours of overtime hours worked. Employees have 30 days from the time it was earned to use compensatory time. This motion passed. Pryor also introduced a motion that would increase from five to ten the number of vacation days an employee is allowed to carry over into the next year. This motion passed. She also brought a motion for the Village to keep its current vision and dental insurance plans which passed.
Mayor David Jasper reported that the Village has been reimbursed $4,122.55 which was the cost to replace the Parshall Flume. It had been struck by lightning.
