The Salem City Council will get its first look at the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund Budget at Monday night’s city council meeting.
City Manager Rex Barbee says the budget is balanced as much as possible. He notes with recovery continuing from COVID-19 he didn’t want to overestimate revenues. Barbee says individual department heads have carefully looked over needs as well with an eye to keeping expenses down.
The city will review the rest of the budget at the April 5th meeting, with the budget anticipated to go before the city council for final approval at the April 19th meeting. The new budget year starts May 1st.
The council will also be asked to approve seeking a $680,000 one-percent loan from the State’s Illinois Financing Authority to replenish the Natural Gas Fund reserves for spreading out payments from what would have been extremely high February Natural Gas Bills over the next 12 to 18 months. The state is helping municipal gas funds around the state with financing to help the large bills from hitting customers all at once. Barbee says the city will raise the price of natural gas 30-cents a decatherm over the payback period.
A new Salem Police Officer will be sworn in. Mason McMeen will replace Bryan Green who retired last year.
A proclamation will be presented marking the 85th anniversary of the Salem Lions Club.
The meeting will be held in person at Salem City Hall beginning at six pm.
