Missed the city council meeting lat night but it appears that after the Future's program students were recognized, the council discussed the expected shortfall in city revenues, expected to run about $5.8 million over the next couple of years. City Manager Alan Gill presented a series of proposals (thanks to Jane Adams for the link) designed to close the gap. Among them are:
--re-institution of a city property tax, the elimination of which Mayor Cole cites as one of his major accomplishments.
--not replacing Deputy Chief Sterns when he retires next year.
--having the police department accredited by a state rather than national organization
--elimination of the community relations officer
--postpone construction of the new police station
--postpone investing $100,000 in city parks and greenspaces
These last two are supposed to be funded as part of the sales tax increase passed in 2007 that also partially funds the Saluki Way project. Becaue of the contract with SIUC, tax revenues provided by the city to SIUC for the project cannot be withheld unless the contract is negotiated. Given the amount the city is providing, I really doubt the university would be amendable to renegotiatng the funding.
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