The Centralia City Council Monday night will be asked to approve its operating budget for the fiscal year beginning January first.
City Manager Lowell Crow says the budget is balanced across the board including the general, water, and sewer funds. The property tax levy will be presented with no increase after the council said they would not approve any increase at a work session before the last meeting.
A resolution is on the agenda to resubmit a half-cent increase in the sales tax to voters in the April election. The anticipated $400,000 a year in revenue will help pay for new fire trucks, police vehicles, and other items needed in the general fund budget. Crow notes Centralia currently has a 7.5-percent sales tax rate and would still be under the 8.5-percent rate in Salem and 9.5-percent rate in Mt. Vernon if the increase is approved.
The council will be asked to hire Burbach Aquatics, Inc. for an initial study on the repair, renovation or replacement of the Fairview Park Swimming Pool which has developed structural problems.
The Centralia City Council will consider a $250,000 application to the State of Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity Local Cure Economic Support Payments Grant program. The reimbursable grant would allow the city to front applications not to exceed $25,000 per business in direct payments with later reimbursement by the state. The council is being asked to approve a resolution of support for Golden Pancake House at 720 West Broadway for assistance under the program.
The council will consider several resolutions to disband the current Parks and Cemetery Advisory Committee and form an Elmwood Cemetery Committee as well as combining the Parks portion of the committee with the existing Recreation Committee.
The council will be asked to provide a $100 bonus for all full-time employees and $50 for part-time employees. The money will come from Cures Act money that has been received by the city.
A work session is scheduled for five to review the proposed budget, to be followed by the regular meeting at six. Both will be held via Zoom Conference Call.
To join by the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88266220817
To join by phone: Dial: 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 882 6622 0817
Anyone wishing to address the Mayor and City Council during public participation should contact the City Clerk, Kim Enke, at kaenke@cityofcentralia.org or call 618-533-7636 by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting to receive further details about how to participate.
