The Danville City Council had the unveiling of their newly proposed budget during Tuesday night’s meeting. As City Comptroller Ashlyn Massey reminded us afterwards: this is for the Fiscal Year 23-24 budget, which actually begins next May. But as always, Danville votes on it in December, because the tax levy needs to be filed with the county clerk by the last Tuesday in December, and a draft budget needs to be filed with it. Therefore, the city always tries to have both done by December 15th. The total proposed 23-24 budget is $102.6 million ($89 million when interdepartmental transfers are factored in.) One important factor includes the projected tax revenue coming in from the new Golden Nugget Casino scheduled to open in the spring. The budget is calling for 85 percent of that revenue to go to pension payouts for retired police and firefighters. As Massey reminds us, pension payments are one of the biggest problems statewide, for the state itself and cities. And since cities have a requirement to meet by 2040, the casino had to be looked upon as a source.
AUDIO: It’s a responsible thing to do. We’re covering all of our operating expenses with other revenues; and so we’re going to keep it that way until we put a huge dent in our pension obligation. Because we’re required to be funded at a 90% level by 2040, so that’s going to take some strategic decisions.
One of the new funds in the 23-24 budget is the pool fund, anticipating the new Garfield Park pool planned to be built with ARPA funding. Massey says the idea is, be ready for maintenance expenses that are going to happen; which was a big problem the city had with the old Garfield Park pool draining the general fund.
AUDIO: Moving the budget lines from the general fund to its own fund. So if there’s anything unexpended, that will go to its own reserve fund. So over time, it can build. And then if we need it for maintenance, we can tap into that and have access to those monies.
Presented along with the budget was a look at the three year Capital Improvement Plan for Danville.
AUDIO: We have a lot of items that are tax funded, or special revenue stream funded. However, we are always seeking grant opportunities. And you can see what grant opportunities we plan go after in the capital plan on a project by project basis.
Massey says infrastructure projects and better equipment for Public Works are two major goals for the Capital Improvement Plan.
The proposed budget is available on the city website. If anyone has questions about the proposed Danville city budget, they are asked to contact the city comptroller’s office at 217-431-2302.
