Forest Village Council – January 22, 2026

Village of Forest Council met in regular session on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM in council chambers.

Mayor Hastings called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance:

• Derek Hastings- present
• Mary Dickinson- present
• Loretta Perkins- present
• Sarah Hankins- present
• Danielle Moore- present
• Valerie Mullholand- present
• Joe Moore- present

Village Announcements: Leaf cleanup has been completed for the season.

Approval of Agenda for January 22, 2026: M. Dickinson moved to approve agenda for 1/22/26 meeting. D. Moore seconded. Vote: 6 yeas,0 nays. Agenda approved.

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: D. Moore moved to approve minutes from 1/8/26 council meeting. S, Hankins seconded. Vote: 6yeas, 0 nays. Minutes approved.

Bills: V. Mullholand moved to approve the payment of bills. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0nays. Payment of bills approved.

Citizens’ Comments: None

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Committee Reports

Mayor: Mayor is still working on nuisance properties. Met with Solicitor and working on moving forward with the process.

Finance/Audit: Update from 1/22/26 meeting was given. Bills were signed and increasing water rates was discussed. Per the ordinance, the Village is able to increase every year no more than 5%. The concern with the stability with the water fund was discussed. D. Moore expressed concern increasing at this time with the billing issue the Village has been having. It was discussed that billing issues have greatly improved and continue to be addressed. It was discussed that this increase can be reduced if water fund becomes more stable. The Village does not have to increase the 5% yearly, can be lower or not at all. Discussion on being evaluated yearly. It was also discussed the need for a water rate study in the immediate future.

V. Mullholand moved that the Village of Forest increase the base rate and gallon usage by 5%, $16.24 base and $9.97 per gallon usage. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 5 yeas (M. Dickinson, V. Mullholand, J. Moore, L. Perkins, S. Hankins), 1 nay (D. Moore). Increase approved. Rate increase would be in effect for March 2026 billing cycle.

Safety: Update from 1/19/26 meeting. Process is being put in place to advise residents of solicitors in the area. Solicitors are to file with the Village and have a copy of filing with them. This information will be distributed primarily through the Village of Forest website. Nixie alerts can be completed as well.

Police Chief: The department is in the process of utilizing electronic citations. Hardin County Municipal Court donated printers for the cruisers. The electronic citations will allow for improved efficiency for both court and officers.

Fire Chief: None

Ambulance Board: There is one new EMT, two waiting to complete testing, and two are currently attending classes.

Service: Update from 1/14/26 meeting. Water rate discussion was had at meeting. Equipment that can be sold such as plow, paver, green dump truck, J. Rinehammer will get posted to gov deals. Solid waste compost needs mulched and checking to see cost and in budget. To make the compost more accessible to residents, it is recommended that a pick-up box with keypad and in area of cameras (city building) for pick up and drop off. Also, would need to ensure cameras are working properly at the compost pile. Discussion of food trucks/vendors possibly needing to register with the Village outside of Market Square events. J. Rinehammer will be posting job opening for seasonal park employee at the end of February. Leaf pick-up was completed.

Administrator: Leaf clean up completed. Continuing to work on meters. Request for Qualifications for design phase of lagoon and sewer project has been completed.

Park Board: Update from 1/12/26 meeting was given by M. Dickinson. Items to be completed were given to J. Rinehammer such as remove old light poles, return speed bumps to maintenance barn, eagle and smurf to be removed. Working with J. Rinehammer regarding seasonal employee. Tree town festival has asked for approval for beer garden and was approved by Park Board. Looking into grants for baby swings.

Chief went on record stating this was the first official time that alcohol in park for festival was spoken to him. Concern that this was not being a coordinated effort. Expressed many factors to discuss, especially liability.

J. Rinehammer is to check with our insurance provider regarding alcohol use and coverage. Chief Kromer is to attend Tree Town Festival Solicitor Fish is looking into Ordinance and what needs to occur to permit alcohol at the festival.

Market Square: Working on scheduling of events for this year.

CIC: Cleaned up fiats and some of the items will need to be kept there. Working with VFW on Veteran’s Banners. Need a list of poles for agreement with AEP and the Village.

Business/Industrial Development: Have not met, meeting quarterly.

Zoning and Planning: Update from 1/19/26 meeting was given. Discussed rules regarding fences and property lines. Will be scheduling another meeting for next month.

Human Resources/Ethics: Update from 1/14/26 meeting was given. Committee continues to work on updating Employee Handbook.

Tree Commission: None

Village Solicitor: Request for Qualifications update was given. M. Fish is working on templates for Ordinances and Resolutions.

M. Fish advised that in his legal opinion, Joe Moore is unable to be on Police Auxiliary while serving on Council.

Fiscal Officer: Completing end of year compliance and transition to Muni Link.

V. Mullholand moved to adjourn meeting. M. Dickinson seconded. Vote: 6 yeas, 0 nays, Meeting adjourned at 8:17pm.