The Galesburg City Council on Monday night tabled the purchase of the Galesburg Rescue Mission buildings on E. Third St. Mayor Peter Schwartzman told WGIL that the city hoped to buy the two buildings to turn them into a warming shelter and a possible homeless shelter. City Manager Gerald Smith says there are no agencies that are immediately committed to partnerships but the city would pursue those partnerships as opportunities arose. 7th Ward Alderman Larry Cox says it might be "putting the cart before the horse" to purchase the properties without having those partnerships in place. Cox made the motion to table the purchase until the next meeting in which three new Council members will be sworn in; Heather Acerra, Evan Miller and Steve Cheesman. Schwartzman told WGIL before the meeting that he didn't suspect the purchase would be controversial with the new council members.
City council evaluate external agency, event funding
GALESBURG Last year, the city of Galesburg broke from trends in its funding of external agencies, approving only about $30,000 of the $160,000 requested in 2020. The city approved $102,650 the year prior.
At a work session Tuesday evening, the city discussed how they would fund external agencies this year, finding members of the council were not all of accordance on the issue.
In 2021, the city budgeted for $120,000 in funding for external agencies. This budget has increased from $53,475 in 2010 to $159,500 requested in 2020.
City Manager Todd Thompson noted that the city has five options moving forward.
It could continue the program, stop or phase out funding altogether, partner with agencies such as the Galesburg Community Foundation to distribute the funding, place specific programs and events funded as regular items in the annual budget, or create programs linked to specific priorities or needs such as youth progr