Dallas City Council

Scott Rosson Leaves Oquawka, Hired as Police Chief of Dallas City

(From the minutes taken by Steven K. Vorhies, City Clerk)

The Dallas City Council held its regular meeting on January 19, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor Kevin Six presiding.  Commissioners present included Carole McDowell, Peggy Newberry, Harold Northup Jr., and Greg Olson. Also in attendance were residents and representatives Anne Thompson, Michelle Gold, Cathie Smith, Brad Jackson, Scott Rosson, and Doug Erickson.

After an executive session, Police Commissioner Northup announced that the council had offered Scott Rosson the full-time police chief position at an annual salary of $62,000, with use of a city police vehicle for commuting, IMRF benefits, and the standard $300 monthly medical insurance stipend for full-time employees. Rosson accepted the terms but noted he must provide a two-week notice to his current employer, making his start date February 4, 2026. The council unanimously approved the hiring. Rosson was named police chief of Oquawka on January 6. With Rosson’s departure, Oquawka currently has no village police officer. Before working in Oquawka, Rosson served as police chief of La Harpe for a couple years before resigning in April of last year.

Earlier in the meeting, the council unanimously approved the minutes from the January 5 meeting. Mayor Six read a thank-you note from the Illini West High School Trap Shooting Program for the city’s recent donation. Resident Anne Thompson urged the council to hire a police officer as soon as possible to address public safety needs.

Brad Jackson presented a contract proposal from B&K Waste Solutions for trash pickup services. 

Following discussion and questions, the council unanimously approved the contract, with collection beginning February 1. 

Weekly pickups will occur on Fridays, starting February 6. Residents must place trash curbside by 5:30 a.m., with a limit of four 30-gallon cans or eight bags per week.  Optional toters are available for rent at $2 per month. One large item per month is permitted (such as couches, desks, tables and chairs, dressers, grills without propane tanks, or push mowers with empty gas tanks), but mattresses and box springs carry a $60 fee each and require a sticker purchased from the City Clerk’s office. Prohibited items include tires, televisions, computers, appliances, batteries, paint cans (unless opened and dried), chemicals, oil, concrete, construction or demolition materials, and yard waste. Residents may take items like televisions, computers, and appliances to the Hancock County Highway Department in Carthage on Fridays, with details available on the city website. For toter rentals or missed pickups, contact B&K at 309-507-2696. The city clerk will mail letters to residents explaining the changes.

Doug Erickson provided updates on the lead service line and sewer projects. He recommended delaying the ordinance for issuing waterworks and sewage revenue bonds, as the amount may need to increase to cover both projects. 

The council also discussed securing an easement for the sewer project property and requested pricing for additional solar lights along the new walking path.

The council unanimously approved retaining the law firm Hart, Southworth, and Witsman as bond counsel for the upcoming waterworks and sewerage improvement projects, per Attorney Southworth’s December 22, 2025, engagement letter.

A recent water leak on West Fifth Street between Oak and Cedar Streets required Laverdiere Construction to replace two leaking service lines at the main, at a cost of $10,520. The council unanimously approved payment for these emergency repairs.

Discussion turned to delinquent water bills and potential changes to collection procedures. Commissioner McDowell suggested eliminating the current 10% late penalty (added after the 10th) and implementing shutoffs at month’s end with a $200 reconnect fee plus $50 per month while service remains off. 

Other options included stricter enforcement of the existing ordinance (penalty after the 10th, shutoff after the 20th with $50 reconnect) or applying the penalty only on the first delinquency. The city clerk will research these possibilities for future consideration. On a motion by Commissioner Northup, seconded by Commissioner Olson, the meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m. with unanimous approval.

This information was taken from the January 19 minutes approved at the February 2 regular meeting. The Dallas City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 16, at city hall.