The Centralia City Council has unanimously passed a $26.8-million budget for the fiscal year beginning January first.
City Manager Lowell Crow says the budget is balanced across all funds.
In a council work session before the regular meeting, Crow said the budget was aided by a $300,000 reduction in liability and workman’s compensation insurance and an updated more optimistic revenue estimate from the Illinois Municipal League.
Crow says there were also cuts in the general fund.
“A reduction in demo is down to $50,000, a reduction in tree removal down to $30,000. We are delaying the purchase and leasing of the new pumper out to 2022. Delaying the repair of city hall roof, reducing part-time labor from previous years down to two and we have eliminated both the building inspector and I.T. inspector positions.”
Crow says the first payment for the two new fire trucks will come from CURES Act Money. Money for two new squad cars will be paid out of DUI and Impound fees.
The budget includes a one-percent cost of living increase for nonunion employees, firefighters, and the Fraternal Order of Police patrol and telecommunicators.
The budget also takes $245,000 out of the Water Plant Capital Fund to begin work on the design of a new water plant.
Centralia City Manager Lowell Crow talks to the city council during Zoom call.
