The City of Danville is looking at ways to reduce its budget deficit in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says Danville was originally projected to have a $2 million budget deficit for 2021, but he says due to negotiations between department heads that amount is down to $300,000.
Mayor Williams says next year’s budget will have an emphasis on fixing the city’s underground infrastructure, such as sewer lines, which are vital to the day-to-day lives of city residents.
“We could have the best looking streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. in the world,” he said. “However, if we don’t take care at what’s underneath them, then we are going to be in trouble, quickly.”
The mayor says he aims to put an emphasis on neighborhood revitalization and blight removal in the next year. Since he became mayor in November 2018, the city’s reserve fund has increased from just $300,000 to $6 million. One of the biggest projects would be the demolition of Bresee Tower.
“Either the developers have to do something or it’s time to tear it down, because they don’t have that money (to demolish it),” Williams said. “What would happen is the city and county would work together to tear down the Bresee and the old courthouse annex together.”
Williams says he is hopeful that the state can provide more money to perhaps eliminate the deficit entirely before the budget is approved in December.
