City budget finds a balance

gcc work sessionThough be it a short term solution, the Galesburg City Council looks to have tentatively balanced their budget following last night’s discussion during a work session.

Aldermen in attendance agreed with direction by City Manager Todd Thompson to reduce the $800,000 deficit through a number of cost saving measures, however, a tax increase is not one of them.

Thompson explained to council that one way they should be able to save is through retiree’s.

“You know the way in which we would do that then would be to reduce what we call retirement payout,” says Thompson. “We know that so many people are going to retire each year based on the past history. We did this a couple of years ago. If we leave those positions open, take the salary savings, pay down that amount, and then replace those positions that will be about $100,000. ”

Thompson said it is the first time during his tenure in Galesburg, that he can remember having a budget in before Halloween.

Having a budget in line before an impeding December deadline should make things a bit easier, however, the temporary fix still leaves the $1.3 Million fire and police pensions at hand.

Council also recommended increasing water and refuse fees. Quarterly refuse fees will increase by 2 percent, while water will go up 3.4 percent.

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