Without any additional questions, the Salem City Council Monday night approved the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
City Manager Annette Sola says department heads put a lot of work into the plan. She is pleased with the acceptance by the city council. Sola earlier said revenues from all funds would total $19.9 million and expenses $21.6 million.
“It is balanced budget. We do have a lot of things in front of us that is going to require everybody to be vigilant while moving forward. We don’t have a lot of wiggle room right now. Just sticking with the things in the budget. We do have a lot of plans to make several improvements in infrastructure this year so that will take a lot of the funds we’ve been holding onto the last few years.”
Larger projects include the resurfacing of Kell Street from Broadway to College, College from Main to the end near Salem Township Hospital and North Jefferson from Main to Boone. The narrow sidewalk along Boone Street from Broadway to College next to Bryan Memorial Park is scheduled for replacement. A sewer line in the area of Spruce and Illinois Street will be replaced. Two small shelters will be added to the Bryan Memorial Park dog park. Some improvements to the Salem Aquatic Center are anticipated before the pool opens for the year. Money is also included to purchase a vacant lot in the 200 block of West McMackin that will include a future building or pavilion that will become a focal point for downtown festivities.
The council was told by Assistant Public Works Director Courtney Mitchell that the pool is fully staffed, with 95-percent of the staff returning from last year. The Aquatic Center website will open for party reservations and sign up for swim lessons on May 1st.
Councilman Jim Koehler announced Safe Sheds will donate one of their shelters to be converted into a bathroom for the William Jennings Bryan boyhood home on South Broadway. Koehler says additional use of the home has been hampered by lack of water and bathroom facilities.
Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl announced the twice a year Drug Take Back program for those with no longer needed drugs is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th. The Salem Police Department will have a bike giveaway for bicycles recovered by the department but not claimed on Saturday morning, May 4th, beginning at nine am. Both events will take place at the police station.
The council approved the sale of surplus of 1999 and 1992 trucks from the public works department to Dave Sands. He had the high bid that totaled $2,000 for both vehicles.
