Niantic mayor resigns amid controversy over the village's water plant

NIANTIC, Ill. (WAND) – Village of Niantic Mayor Bobby Embrey resigned Monday evening citing health reasons. The mayor of this village in Macon County has been the target of criticism over his handling of the purchase of a former water plant.

The water treatment plant was sold several years ago to a private water company which now provides water service to the village. When the water company decided to construct another water plant nearby it put the Niantic water plant up for sale.

It had apparently been on the market for only a few days when Embrey purchased it for his own use. The Village Board did not know about the purchase until late in 2024 and started asking questions as did the public and WAND News. Several board members indicated during a board meeting earlier this month they could have purchased it back for use as a community center.

Embrey offered to sell the village the plant for what he paid for it. But such a sale/purchase would have been a conflict of interest.

With Embrey resigning the board voted to buy it back for $13,544. Closing on the sale is within 30 days.

The board appointed Jeff Keppler to fill the Embrey vacancy. The board was also told board member Tyler Lyons will also be resigning.