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Budget Process Begins in Galesburg

T.J. Carson
Galesburg's FY15 budget is more than $57 million dollars in expenses.

The city of Galesburg will try something new in crafting a budget for 2016. City Manager Todd Thompson said a priority based budget will be used for the first time. He said it will help the city identify where its resources should be focused.

“It helps you think strategically and helps you make decisions related to cuts if they’re needed as well,” Thompson said.

Aldermen met this week to begin the process for the FY16 budget. The process will last until December. 

They will get together again to discuss priorities on May 26.  That is also when city staff will share preliminary numbers for the next budget.

Thompson said the city will have to figure out what to do about potential state funding cuts. He said the city could lose as much as $1.5 million in shared income tax revenue if the projected 50% cut is approved. And he said that's not the only possible reduction from the state.

“There are also other proposed cuts related to transit funding, which we would have to look at either reducing our transit service or coming up with additional funds,” Thompson said.

The city could lose $134,000 in transit reimbursement from the state, according to projections from Thompson.