PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria appears to be in good shape financially, at least for the short term.
City Council Tuesday night pushed back a vote to potentially raise parking costs downtown, but approved a new budget.
It didn’t come without concern from Councilman John Kelly, that Peoria isn’t doing enough toward its pension obligations.
“We’re swimming in money, relatively speaking, and we seem to have to spend all of it.”
Mayor Ali and the city manager reiterated their efforts toward pensions with the new budget, but in her own remarks, Ali said it was good to see the city capable of doing “some additional things that we haven’t been able to do in the past.”
The budget proposal passed on a 5-3 vote, with Sid Ruckriegel not voting.
Council members voting against the budget included Dennis Cyr, John Kelly and Zach Oyler.
The budget includes increased funding for first responders for education and updated equipment, as well as increases in revenue and federal funding.
“I think we have attempted to be good stewards of the peoples monies,” Mayor Rita Ali said.
There is also an increase in budget for Public Works due to inflation impacting the cost of equipment, road salt, signage and more.
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