The Peoria City Manager presents a financial update to the City Council at the regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday Meeting. It includes proposed cuts to balance the city’s continued reduction in revenue and state budget issues.
Peoria City staff received an email this morning outlining an estimated $617,000 in proposed cuts and budgetary adjustments.
The message from City Manager Patrick Urich proposes 88-hours of employee furloughs. It excludes non-command, sworn police officers and firefighters as well as emergency communications staff.
Peoria City Hall would be closed every other Monday, starting in July through the end of the year. Public works employees would operate with staggered weekly rolling layoffs under the proposal.
The proposed cuts will require city council approval and will no doubt generate lively discussion.
The proposal is an effort to shield the city workforce from further job losses and maintain emergency response services. Peoria is down 115 employees from a decade ago. The Peoria Public Works Departement alone is 40-percent smaller than it was 15 years ago.
The City Manager's proposed reductions aim to help further reconcile a total $2 million budget shortfall. $1.3 million in new revenue or other savings have already been identified.
Hear the live broadcast of the Peoria City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on 89.9fm, Peoria Public Radio.