PEKIN, Ill. – Not long Monday after the City of Pekin honored first responders who helped save the life of a drowning four-year-old boy, one city council member looked at things differently.
“It’s kind of tough to cut a budget after you guys made that presentation. But, guess what? We’re going to ask,” said Council Member Dave Nutter, laughing.
“You’re that guy,” said Trent Reeise, Fire Chief.
Nutter learned that all city employees, police and fire included, are to get two and a half percent pay raises in the coming budget, and also expressed concern about vehicle and fuel expenses, among others.
Council members asked if the level of service was necessary given declines in the city’s population. City Manager Mark Rothert says, yes.
“I think using population is, probably, a red herring, so to speak, when we’re looking at the budget,” said Rothert. “I know the fire department is experiencing more calls now than when we had more population. So, there isn’t a correlation there.”
Police Chief John Dossey says staffing continues to be a concern, and being able to get officers proper training.
“Where we’re running into complication is, we’re not the only agency that’s in that boat,” said Dossey. “Now it’s a battle of lateral transfers, and then now we’re also starting to feel the impact on finding academy space available to us.”
Dossey says he also knows of one retirement that will happen in the coming year, which is budgeted for, but it’s the unknown retirements that can cause budget issues. He says he also needs to look into more hard drive space for the department’s body cam footage.
A final budget has yet to be approved.
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