At the Oregon City Council meeting last Tuesday afternoon one item of only 5 on the agenda slate was the increase in the gaming fees for the local establishments in town.
The state has now allowed cities to charge up to $250 dollars per machine but due to the outbreak of covid in 2021, Mayor Ken Williams and some of the other council members and business owners felt that the increase might be detrimental to the future of their livelihood. Finance Commissioner Terry Schuster presented a recommendation to have a 2% cap based on each businesses revenue. The motion was approved and an official ordinance will be written and available at the next council meeting in June.
Another expenditure for up to $95,000 dollars from the Water/Sewer Operational Fund is for the repair and rebuild of the wastewater plant blower system. Commissioner Melanie Cozzi stated that for now the cost is right for the repairs as opposed to installing a whole new system.
Water and Sewer Supervisor Jeff Pennington went on to say that the new parts should have a life span of 10 to 12 years where a new system might last a couple of years longer but the city is saving almost $70,000 for now.
The city’s Farmer’s Market opens the season on Thursday June 2 from 5 to 7:30 pm. 16 vendors will be on hand selling a variety of items. The Rock River Strummers will provide the musical entertainment.
