Village of Bluffs remembers Cawthon

By Editor | July 9, 2025 |

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

At the regular July meeting of the Village of Bluffs Board of Trustees, Village President Linda Sapp acknowledged the passing of longtime Water Superintendent Dwayne Cawthon. Sapp remarked on his years of service and the deep impact he had on village operations and community life.

To honor his legacy, the board approved the placement of a memorial tree and commemorative plaque outside the Village Hall. A public Celebration of Life is scheduled for July 11 at the Winchester Golf Course.

“We are going to be planting a Midnight Express Redbud in memory of him, and we have a nice plaque,” Sapp said.

“It’s going to be right next to the city hall – between the city hall and the new building that the city bought – in the grassy area.”

The Midnight Express Redbud is notable for its deep burgundy foliage, which adds interest outside of the spring flowering season.

Following tributes to Cawthon, the board moved through a series of fiscal and community-related actions.

Trustees unanimously adopted an ordinance imposing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax. The adoption of the new grocery tax was brought on by the impending January 1, 2026 elimination of the State’s one percent sales tax on groceries.

According to Sapp, revenue from the grocery sales tax is retained by local municipalities. As a result, Bluffs and other municipalities stood to take a revenue hit if they did not adopt their own grocery sales tax to offset the upcoming loss of the state tax.

The ordinance adopted by Bluffs was based on a model ordinance provided by the Illinois Municipal League (IML).

While the Village’s current grocery sales tax revenue is modest, since the Village has no true grocery store, Sapp indicated that she wanted to be prepared in the event that a store that sold more food products moved to Bluffs.

“I just want to be ready if a small grocery store ever was to open in Bluffs,” Sapp said. “Or if Dollar General were ever to divide to put a store here.”

Sapp indicated that the timing of the Village’s adoption of a new grocery sales tax ordinance was critical to ensure that there was no gap in revenue.

“This one percent tax will remain in place at the local level to support village operations,” Mayor Sapp stated in her report to the Board. “We want to make sure Bluffs continues receiving that revenue, even after the state tax disappears.”

In other business, the board approved a $1,000 monthly contract for Trevor Cawthon to lead the water department. Though he does not currently hold a sewer license, discussions are underway to address future staffing needs in that area.

In addition, board members approved the purchase of a pickleball net, priced at $649.99. The board also authorized a $485 expenditure for Wi-Fi-enabled security cameras to monitor Lewis Park for damage or vandalism. In response to ongoing drainage issues and bird nesting concerns, trustees voted to repair guttering at the library. Trustees also voted to prohibit semi-truck parking on the gravel lot adjacent to Village Hall.

Looking ahead, Sapp reported that she will meet with a solar energy representative next month to explore a proposed solar farm that may generate financial benefits for Scott County. Coordination continues with 911 dispatch in an effort to install a tornado siren in the village.

In old business, board members noted growing daytime use of Lewis Park by children, particularly the bags and pickleball courts. Trustees discussed enhancing the park environment by adding music during the day, installing additional lighting for evening use, and placing planters around the benches near concrete seating areas.