The Peoria City Council is facing a gloomy budget outlook in the next five years. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports on the latest numbers:
City staff project a $5 million budget deficit next year, with multi-million-dollar deficits through 2019. That’s largely due to projected sluggish sales and property tax revenues coupled with increased pension, personnel and health care costs. Peoria City Councilwoman Beth Jensen says that fee and tax increases have to be considered to help balance future budgets:
“You know it’s not a political thing that anyone wants to say is on the table. But, I mean we have to be realistic.”
Jensen also says she wants more public input in the budget process months before the council begins debating a proposed spending plan each year.