Nokomis council hosts another packed house

July 13, 2026 12

NOKOMIS — The City of Nokomis will continue to operate a police department currently understaffed. This was one of several items of discussion in Monday’s meeting of the Nokomis City Council.

Stephen Bowers spoke on complaints related to his residence. Bowers would also take the time to call out the city’s hypocrisy with its crumbling infrastructure.

Several individuals spoke on the pending matter involving the Nokomis Police Department.

Resolutions, petitions, ordinances, and communications

The council approved Resolution 2026-10 accepting a proposal from Johnson’s Renovations with an overall estimated project cost of $168,200. This is for renovations to the Nokomis City Hall. His particular portion of the costs will be in the range of $75,000 to $95,000. The rest are incidental costs relating to subcontractor labor.

There was no action on adopting the International Property Maintenance Code. This was due to the city clerk recently ordering it, but they must have it for at least 30 days before adopting it.

Ordinance 2154, an amendment to Ordinance 2153, was tabled. It was in relation to the authorization and approval of acquiring certain property at 114 S. Pine.

Commissioner reports

Commissioner Tisha Morris would note that the mini-excavator should arrive later this week. She would also the Streets Department in its preparations for Nokomis Homecoming.

Commissioner Michael Glenn reported on his work with Audra Elam and the police department on building and code enforcement. Two building permits were filed. One was for the construction of a fence at 220 Lone Starr. The other was for a renovation project at 318 N. Cedar. Both permits were approved. Goldsmith would abstain on the Lone Starr permit.

Commissioner Scott Arkebauer gave a report on the IEPA’s inspection of the new water plant. There are some issues, but they should be easily rectified considering they are covered by warranty.

Commissioner Charlie O’Malley presented his financial report, which would reflect $645,958.39 in revenues and $660,073.63 in outgoing bills. In addition, he would issue a statement regarding ongoing matters before the city council.

Unfinished business

Five members of the city were selected to attend the upcoming the 2026 IML Conference.

Mayor Dylan Goldsmith mentioned outstanding business from former Chief Earin Land regarding security updates at City Hall. The current quote from Wareham’s Security with all the features lied somewhere around $20,000. Goldsmith will be in contact with more specific needs.

New business

The council would approve a motion to reimburse backflow prevention costs for 419 W. Union. Goldsmith would provide additional context to this program.

Before entering closed session, an objection was made by a member of the media regarding three items on the closed session agenda. It was noted that none of those items had requirements per the Illinois Open Meetings Act to put them in closed session. City attorney Chris Sherer would concur with the opinion, and was removed from closed session.

Closed session

The City Council would enter closed session at 7:46 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining matters, the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employee, and setting of a price for the sale or lease of property owned by the city.

The closed session would run for 47 minutes, ending at 8:33 p.m.

Other business

There have been discussions between the cities of Nokomis and Witt regarding the purchase of Witt’s water plant and well site. Witt is now under the EJ Water Cooperative system, and the City of Witt is seeking to part from it.

Mayor Goldsmith would note that was no discussion of monetary terms, but the two cities will resume talks.

A motion would pass to hire Audra Elam as the city’s Community and Economic Development Director. Her salary will be at $65,000 per year.

The council would address its ongoing command issues with the Nokomis Police Department. Currently, only one officer is on duty all week this week. Furthermore, there are only two available to work over the next two weeks. This creates a situation that the city council cannot ignore any further.

Commissioner Glenn noted that he would like to see the police department remain in operation. He would nominate Racheal Ehrhardt as Interim Chief, noting that she may have to abandon any plans she had for a week. Sherer would note that Glenn could not dictate such terms, so Glenn motioned again. It would fail without a second.

Glenn would also nominate Dan Marron, the department’s school resource officer, for Interim Chief. It would, too, fail without a second.

A motion by Commissioner O’Malley to authorize the mayor to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement services would pass. Glenn casting the lone dissenting vote, while trying to add commentary during a roll call vote.

Outstanding business to resume at special meeting of Nokomis city council

No action was taken regarding the business item involving employee disciplinary action. This is likely related to the June 17 incident involving K9 officer Nathan Brookshire.

Mayor Goldsmith noted that it will be on the docket for a special meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 4:30 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.