Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Eric Schuler called the first monthly meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 P.M. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present  Tony Rushing              Brian Gleason

              Eric Schuler                Jennifer Morgan

              Cristy Desormeaux     Rachel Alstat

President Schuler opened the meeting by officially recognizing the absence of Trustee Paulette Johnson. He said the Board is gratefully indebted to her for all her years of service with the Village and all she has accomplished. She will definitely be missed.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Brian Gleason, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, to approve the January expense report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Rachel Alstat, seconded by Brian Gleason, to pay the list of bills. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Tony Rushing reported that the Village is moving forward with the Phase IV Watermain Replacements project. Hopefully, the Village will know by the middle or end of April who will be awarded the bid and when the project will start.

Trustee Rushing also reported that there is a vacancy for a water meter reader.

Trustee Brian Gleason reported that the Village of De Soto Board of Trustees would be terminating the Intergovernmental Agreement with the De Soto Township Board that authorized the De Soto Police Department to patrol within the corporate boundaries of De Soto Township. Due to staffing shortages, the Police Department is no longer able to provide the necessary coverage. Trustee Gleason said that there would be continued police coverage in the Township by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the De Soto Police Department.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Tony Rushing, to terminate the Intergovernmental Agreement with the De Soto Township Board to patrol within the corporate boundaries of De Soto Township. Upon roll call vote: Tony Rushing – Yes; Brian Gleason – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes; Rachel Alstat – Yes. Motion carried.

Because body cameras for all police officers are required by law, Police Chief Ben Doan has been researching the matter. He presented a quote from Axon Enterprises, Inc. for body cameras for our police officers. For a five-year plan, the initial cost would be $6,739.96 for everything required plus $2,600 - $3,100 per year thereafter for maintenance. Chief Doan wants to get the cameras as soon as possible to have everything in place and operating by January 1, 2025.

The park Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for March 23 at 10 AM with a rain date of March 30.

The next village board meeting will be held Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Tony Rushing, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to adjourn at 7:30 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_2-5-24.docx