Freeport City Council to Address Key Issues at April 7 Meeting

Freeport, IL - April 4, 2025

Freeport residents are gearing up for a significant City Council meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, marking the first council gathering following Mayor Jodi Miller’s re-election on April 1. With numerous important items on the agenda, the upcoming meeting is expected to be a busy and contentious one.

Appointments and Reappointments
A key portion of the agenda will focus on appointments and reappointments to various city boards and commissions. Mayor Miller has nominated three individuals for new positions:

• Eric Borneman will be appointed to the Enterprise Zone.

• Dustin Wilkinson is nominated for the Planning Commission.

• Brad Hartog will join the Board of Zoning Appeals Commission.

Additionally, the City Council will consider the reappointment of Jeff Williams to the Firefighters and Police Pension Fund Boards, and Randy Bukas to the Housing Authority Commission.

Proposed Ordinance Change on Residency Requirements
One of the most highly anticipated items on the agenda is the first reading of a proposed ordinance change concerning residency requirements for key city employees. Under the new proposal, the Miller administration seeks to remove the residency requirement for several top city officials, including the Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Police, Police Lieutenants & Sergeants, Fire Department Deputy Chief & District Chiefs, License Officer, Public Works Director, Finance Director, Community and Economic Development Director, IT Director, and HR Director. The only position that would still be required to reside within Freeport is the City Manager.

This proposed change has already sparked heated debate in the community. Supporters argue that it would allow the city to attract top talent from outside the area, while opponents are concerned about the potential detachment of key decision-makers from the city they serve.

Well and Septic Systems Controversy
Another significant issue on the agenda involves the future of wells and septic systems within Freeport city limits. The Miller administration is proposing a ban on the installation of new wells within city limits, as well as a requirement for residents to abandon existing wells and hook up to city water once it becomes available. This proposed change raises the question: who will bear the financial burden of such a transition? Many residents are questioning the fairness of this mandate, particularly those who rely on wells for their water supply.

Gladewood Drive: To Resurface or Not?
In an ongoing matter, the City Council will discuss whether to spend taxpayer dollars to resurface Gladewood Drive, which was constructed as a private street but failed to meet certain city requirements. The question is whether Freeport taxpayers should foot the bill to bring the street up to city standards or leave it to the private property owners to make the necessary improvements.

Video Gaming Terminal Fee Increases
In a proposal that could affect local businesses, the administration is seeking to double the per-terminal fee for video gaming machines, raising the charge from $250 to $500. The increased fee would impact operators of video gaming terminals within city limits and could have a significant financial effect on local businesses.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Expansion
In a move to modernize Freeport’s infrastructure and promote sustainability, the Miller administration is also pushing for the city to become a “Charging Smart Designated Community.” This would involve changes to city codes and ordinances to make Freeport more electric vehicle (EV) friendly. As part of this initiative, the administration is requesting an additional $90,730 to pay engineering firm Fehr Graham to install EV charging stations at the Municipal Lot and the Walmart Parking Lot.

Video Surveillance on City Buses
Finally, the City Council will vote on a proposal to spend $41,033 to install video surveillance cameras on Pretzel City buses. Proponents argue that this measure will improve safety and provide valuable data in case of incidents, while others question the cost.

A Full Agenda and Community Engagement
With so many key issues on the table, Monday’s meeting promises to be a packed session. Fighting4Freeport urges residents to review the agenda over the weekend, ask questions, and attend the meeting to voice their opinions. If any of these issues are important to you, your family, or your tax dollars, now is the time to get involved and make your voice heard.

The City Council meeting will take place on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Freeport City Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend, as the discussions could shape the future of Freeport for years to come.