Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners
December 15, 2025
6:15 p.m.
Administrative Office (1401 N. Otis Street, Marion, IL 62959)
Regular Meeting Agenda
1. Call to Order
President Gott called the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District to order at 7:07 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
Commissioner Sheffler
Commissioner McReynolds
Commissioner Gott
Commissioner Gardiner and Commissioner Welch are absent from the meeting.
2. Open Forum
There are no public attendees during the Regular meeting.
3. Approval of Regular Meeting December 15, 2025, agenda
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 7:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the agenda for the Regular Meeting on December 15, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
4. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: November 24, 2025
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 7:09 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the minutes for the Regular Meeting on November 24, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
5. Approval of the November 2025 Financial Report
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:13 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the November 2025 Financial Report. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
6. Department Reports
a. Administration
b. Park Services
Executive Director Odum reported to the Commissioners of projects with Park Services and outlooks for 2026.
7. Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Gott asked the other Commissioners if there was anything to report, Commissioner Sheffler stated that there was positive feedback on the lion and the presence of the Marion Park District in the parade. Commissioner McReynolds didn’t have anything to report. Commissioner Gott asked Executive Director Odum to put together something for the 2026 projects for presentation with estimates of expenditures.
8. Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (if requested):
a. (21) Executive / Closed Minutes – Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under Illinois Open Meetings Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes.
b. (1) Personnel – To consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony or complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Executive Session was not visited during the December 2025 meeting.
9. Reconvene to Open Session (possible actions following Executive Session)
10. New Business
a. Discuss / Approve Tax Levy Ordinance, Ordinance 25-04.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:47 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner
McReynolds to approve the agenda the Tax Levy Ordinance, Ordinance 25-04. Roll
called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
b. Discuss / Approve IPARKS, general liability, premium for 2026 in the amount of $54,281.00 plus any increased liability limits approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:52 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the IPARKS, general liability, premium for 2026 in the amount of $54,281.00 plus any increased liability limit amount of $12,000,000.00 for a total due of $56,070.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
c. Discuss / Approve FY2025 Audit prepared by Sarah Gibbens, CPA
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:56 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the FY2025 Audit prepared by Sarah Gibbens, CPA. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
d. Discuss / Approve payment to Sarah Gibbens, CPA for audit preparation for FY2025 in the amount of $8,800.00.
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 7:57 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to approve the payment to Sarah Gibbens, CPA for audit preparation for FY2025 in the amount of $8,800.00. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
e. Discuss / Approve meeting dates for 2026 as follows:
The meeting will be held on the 4th Monday of the month in the Administrative Office in Ray Fosse Park, 1401 N. Otis Street, Marion, IL 62959 at 6:00 p.m.
January 26, 2026
February 23, 2026
March 23, 2026
April 27, 2026
May 18, 2026 (moved to 3rd Monday due to Memorial Day holiday)
June 22, 2026
July 27, 2026
August 24, 2026
September 28, 2026
October 26, 2026
November 16, 2026 (moved to 3rd Monday, due to Thanksgiving holiday)
December 28, 2026
Discussion on dates and the decision to change the following dates, November 2026, change to November 19th and December 2026 change to December 14th.
Commissioner McReynolds made a motion at 8:07 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner Sheffler to approve the meeting dates for 2026 with the changes to November 2026 and December 2026. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
11. Next Meeting Date: January 26, 2026
12. Adjournment
Commissioner Sheffler made a motion at 8:08 p.m.; seconded by Commissioner McReynolds to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Marion Park District for December 15, 2025. Roll called. Motion carried with unanimous vote with those present.
In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any individual who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in or benefit from attendance at the public meeting of the Marion Park District Board of Commissioners should contact Zach Odum, Director at 618-993-3940.