Clinton County board approves FY 2026 budget and tax levy
- Details
- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
The Clinton County Board approved the fiscal year 2026 budget and levies during its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 24.
"The budget is a culmination of the hard work that we do all year," Clinton County Board chairman Brad Knolhoff said. "The budget is easy because of the hard work that all of the board members do. We consistently tackle the tough subjects before they become problems. While most counties are struggling, we have become a county that a lot of them will contact."
The budget and levy marks the fifth consecutive year the county is lowering the property tax levy on the residents of Clinton County. Last year the tax rate was .514. This year the estimated tax rate will be around .478. Last year they levied $5.3 million in their general funds and this year they are levying $5,275,000. That doesn't mean everyone will see their tax bill go down because the county is not the only entity in which they pay taxes.
"The amount that they pay collectively into Clinton County will be less than the year before," Knolhoff said.
For the first time that Knolhoff can historically see, the tax rate will be below 50 cents compared to seven or eight years ago when the tax rate was over $1.
"That is also taking into account the rising home values," Knolhoff said. "While the home values are rising, we are asking for less money."
This year's budget is dissimilar to previous years. Knolhoff said most years they strive to pass a balanced budget. This year they will be operating at $350,000 over budget, but Knolhoff said that is not a problem for them this year. They have a beginning fund balance of $9.4 million, so that would leave them with an estimated $9,050,000.
Knolhoff said a big reason they are deficit spending this year is they are making a $1 million transfer to the building fund for future building projects.
"I anticipate even with this budget, even though we are showing a deficit, I don't anticipate we will deficit spend this year," Knolhoff said. "We have historically been very conservative on our revenue estimates. This budget is very conservative in the revenue estimates."
Warriors win their own tournament with 3-0 record; MD drops three
- Details
- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
Perfect start — The Wesclin Warriors got their season off in fine fashion with a 3-0 start to claim the Wesclin Tip-Off Classic title with wins over Mater Dei, Nashville and Columbia. The Warriors also won the title back in 2023. SUBMITTED PHOTO For just the second time since 2018, the Wesclin Warriors have started the season at 3-0 and in the process claimed their second Wesclin Tip-Off Classic Tournament title
The Warriors took down Columbia, Nashville and Mater Dei to claim the title. They played at Waterloo on Tuesday before traveling to Collinsville on Saturday.
The All-Tournament Team included Bryce Haar and Gavin Rahm of Wesclin and Gavin Peppenhorst of Mater Dei.
The Mater Dei Knights dropped all three of their tourney games with losses to Wesclin, Columbia and Nashville.
MD hosted Althoff on Tuesday before playing at Alton Marquette on Saturday.
Wesclin 68, Nashville 62: The Warriors played a strong all-around game in their title-winning victory over the Hornets on Saturday night.
All Tourney effort — Mater Dei senior Gavin Peppenhorst takes to the left in the Knights’ eight-point setback to Nashville on Friday in the Wesclin Tip-Off Classic. The senior made the All-Tournament by averaging 21 points per game for MD. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO The game went back and forth with the Warriors leading 33-32 at the half. They led 15-8 after one quarter with 10 points from Eli Wellen.
Gavin Rahm hit a late bucket in the third quarter to hand the Warriors’ a 47-46 lead entering the fourth quarter. Rahm and Wellen each had 16 points entering the fourth with Maddox Ritzel having 21 points.
It was too much Rahm down the stretch as the junior hit for 24 points while Wellen scored 19 points for the Warriors. Nashville got 23 points from Ritzel in the setback. Rahm connected for his 1,000th career point in the fourth quarter.
Columbia 62, Mater Dei 50: The Eagles used a strong fourth quarter to get some distance from the Knights to get their only win of tournament play.
Mater Dei got a great start from Jack Reynolds who hit for 12 points over the first eight minutes as Mater Dei and Columbia were tied 14-14 after one quarter. Columbia got two three-pointers and a charity shot from Eddie Smajic in the frame.
Beckett Wade stepped up for two three-pointers for MD in the second quarter while Gavin Peppenhorst hit a triple, a deuce and a free throw as MD trailed 27-26 at the break. Smajic had seven at the break.
Wade hit two more three-pointers in the third quarter while Peppenhorst hit a three and two deuces as MD kept pace and led 43-41 entering the final eight.
Mater Dei managed just three field goals in the fourth quarter, with a triple from Peppenhorst and a pair of two’s from Reagan Woomer.
Meanwhile, Smajic hit a three-pointer and was 7-of-8 from the line down the stretch to secure the victory.
Peppenhorst led the way with 26 points, while Wade and Reynolds each had a dozen. MD was 1-of-3 from the line.
Smajic scored a tournament-high 28 points for CHS while they were 15-of-20 from the line.
Deien Chevrolet to close after nearly 50 years in business
- Details
- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal Reporter
Tim Deien and Nathan Deien thank everyone for their support through the years. Deien Chevrolet is preparing to close its doors after 47 years in business. After nearly 50 years of serving the region, Deien Chevrolet of Trenton is preparing to close its doors.
The dealership announced Monday evening that the family-owned business will wind down operation after 47 years.
In a heartfelt statement, the Deien family thanked generations of customers, noting that the decision did not come easy.
"This wasn’t an easy message to write, but it comes from the heart," the statement read. "Thank you for 47 years of friendship, trust, and support ... Even as we write this, it’s hard to believe that after 47 wonderful years, the Deien family is beginning to wind down operations at Deien Chevrolet. Our time as your hometown dealership has meant more to us than words can express."
As they prepare for the transition, Deien Chevrolet wanted to make sure their customers are being taken care of. They will not be taking on any new business after Dec. 4, but any service appointments scheduled on or before that date will still be completed. You may continue to schedule service through Dec. 4, and they will honor all appointments up to Dec. 19.
Since 1978, Deien Chevrolet has been a trusted name in the Trenton community, providing customers with a welcoming and family-oriented atmosphere.
The dealership was started by Mel Deien and his wife, Janet, who purchased Radley Chevrolet in Breese, under the name of Deien Chevrolet. In 1982, they moved the dealership to Trenton and in 1989, they built the current dealership structure.
Following Mel's passing in 2022, his sons Tim and Nathan continued operating the dealership.
The Deien family stated that what began in 1978 as a small family business grew into something far greater than they ever imagined — a community of customers who became friends, and friends who became like family.
Page 1 of 2
