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Galesburg, IL – It required a special meeting that lasted four hours, but Galesburg finally has a budget in place for the fiscal year that begins January 1.
The special meeting was scheduled after aldermen failed during last week's regular meeting to agree on the city's proposed spending plan and levy.
Mayor Sal Garza said the budget projects spending of more than $91 million.
Cuts were made before aldermen approved the budget. They include the elimination of three part-time positions to save $16,000, a $40,000 reduction in the transit subsidy, and the closure of the Lake Storey Beach to save $61,000.
The city will also leave vacant six full-time positions to save $226,000 and it will draw down its reserves by around $200,000.
Garza said the cuts are not set in stone. He said at least one work session will be held in January to talk about budget cuts.
"Whether we're going to accept specifically where those cuts are going to be made or if we're going to identify other potential programs, areas, or services that could be reduced or eliminated," Garza said.
He said aldermen could choose to delay an expenditure or two in order to roll back the cuts. The closure of the Lake Story Beach is of particular concern.
"The beach is one of the few things that is free to the general public," Garza said. "It impacts a lot of people."
However, he acknowledged attendance at the beach has dipped over the years.
As part of their special meeting this week, aldermen also approved the city's proposed tax levy. Garza said it would add $4.12 to the tax bill on a $50,000 home.
Garza said the levy was increased a bit because the overall assessed valuation in Galesburg has decreased.