Galesburg City Council passed a resolution Tuesday night that directs city staff to start the process of a $5.3 million bond sale that would be restricted to a community center. It was a 4-3 vote with Kevin Wallace, Dwight White, Jaclyn Smith-Esters, and Sarah Davis in favor and Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, and Larry Cox opposed. Finance Director Gloria Osborn says there will be a bond sale on Mar. 6, although the sale will be brought back for council approval with current interest rates. City Manager Gerald Smith says the city would look for a ten-year term on the bond. Ward 2 Council member Wayne Dennis wanted to know where additional funds for a community center would come from. City Manager Smith said the city could take a phased approach toward development. He also reiterated that community fundraising could be a possibility to fill in funding gaps. Proceeds from this bond sale would be restricted for use of a community center. Schwartzman defended asking the council to pass the bon
The Galesburg City Council is going through their annual fall into winter tradition of finalizing next year's spending plan. The Council has until December to finalize the FY22 budget. City Manager Todd Thompson says even though the budget is thought of as a single document it's really a series of budgets for different departments and programs. He says the past two budgeting years were unusual, but 2020 and '21 saw better revenues than expected. Administration is recommending a 2.5 percent increase in the property tax levy or about $190,000 more than last year. That increase amounts to about $9 more paid for $50,000 in property value. There's been about a 4 percent increase in full-time employee costs. Thompson says City HR staff is going to work with police and fire departments to try to reduce overtime. Finance Director Gloria Osborn says there's no estimate yet on the increase in Equalized Assessed Value of properties. The City Manager has promised to put th