Taylorville Council approves employee dress code changes

(TAYLORVILLE) — An up date to the City of Taylorville’s dress code was approved at the Monday night, Mar. 6, meeting. The updates are not so much changing an employees attire, but the appearance of their face.

Under the revision, facial piercings and “unnatural” hair coloring is no longer allowed. Alderman Kathy Driskel brought the revisions to the Council from the Personnel Committee. The topic was intensely debated among members, with the motion for the update passing with a 5-2 vote.

“Do we have the resources to be picky about facial piercings at this time, when we have issues finding employees?,” Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry questioned.

Aldermen Larry Budd and Steve Dorchinecz voted, “No.” Alderman Jim Olive was absent.

Members approved unanimously to impose a retailer’s occupational tax, service occupation tax and a hotel operator’s tax in the Taylorville Business Development District No. 1. According to the mayor, the ordinance won’t increase tax rates. The ordinance expands the business district area.

The Council approved hiring one firefighter for the Taylorville Fire Department.

Mayor Barry congratulated the Youth of the Month winner, Taylorville High School senior William Blue, for his outstanding performance in high school wrestling this season.

He reminded aldermen the cemetery clean-up day is Monday, Mar. 13 and negotiations between the city and the employees union are upcoming.

The Manners Park Pool project will be addressed at the next meeting according to the Mayor and he asked everyone to keep Alderman Jim Olive in their thoughts and prayers as he takes time to recover from recent medical setback.

The Council approved replacing a pair of toilets in the holding cells of the Taylorville Police Department. Ricci Plumbing will do the work with a cost not to exceed just over $5,000. Bids for curb and guttering replacement, sidewalk replacement, gas/ diesel fuel and mowing will be sought. Approval of camera installation and purchase for the police department was approved. The department will install two Flock LPR cameras at a cost not to exceed $6,500 and to buy an additional four Flock LPR cameras at a price not to exceed $12,600. They will be paid for out of the Police Court Fees account.