File image
File image
Purchases and hires have been frozen in Centralia by the new city manager as he looks for ways to make budget cuts.
Lowell Crow is preparing Centralia for impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Southern Illinois Now.
“We have frozen major purchases and hires," Crow said during a City Council meeting. "Any open hires we have going forward (will remain vacant) until we know the full impact of COVID. We are also in the process of reviewing contracts.”
One way to cut budgets would be ending lobbying services, Crow said at the meeting. But after discussing the proposed cut with the Illinois Municipal League, he said other cuts will likely be necessary, according to Southern Illinois Now. The city is trying to avoid laying off employees.
“They are anticipating a cut between $1.2 million and $1.8 million," Crow said at the meeting. "I’ve already got department heads looking and making recommendations going forward. We have reviewed the MFT budget because the recommendation is to cut 30% from what we anticipated from revenue, but with the amount in reserve we have with MFT we will ask at the next council meeting to move forward with the Locust Street project.”
Crow also discussed at the City Council meeting that the Illinois Municipal League is anticipating a 15% loss in sales and income taxes from May 1 to April 30, 2021, according to Southern Illinois Now. The League also expects motor fuel tax to fall by 30%.
As the state prepares for the third phase of reopening, Crow also said he is trying to reopen City Hall.
Alerts Sign-up