The City of Peoria has a 2-million dollar projected deficit. Municipal sales tax through April is down nearly two percent from last year. But sales tax receipts rebounded in the second quarter, payable from the Illinois Department of Revenue on a three month delay. The city is working to generate more revenue by creating commercial spaces in key Peoria areas.
"There’s definitely enough for a concern on the part of the city to try and encourage more commercial development in the first district, more commercial development downtown, more commercial development in the second district and the third," City Manager Patrick Urich says."Those are areas we’re really looking to grow our commercial corridors where we can."
There is no full-scale grocery store in the South Side. That sends many residents from Peoria’s southern part over the bridge to East Peoria for shopping and restaurants. Urich says sales tax revenue is a central part of the city’s budget. The City also plans to reduce the deficit by holding positions vacant and holding back some planned expenses.