TERRY BIBO
Farewell to elections expert Tom Bride, who should get a patience award for months of listening to misinformed citizens gripe about voter fraud.
Peoria City Council
On June 28, Mayor Rita Ali presented an overview of Safety Network’s efforts to reduce gun violence.
Assistant Peoria Police Chief Bradley Dixon reported a recent decline in shootings as a result of factors like partnerships with county and state police, technology-based programs, and license plate readers. Chief Eric Eschevarria said other cities ask what Peoria is doing to get these results.
Several councilors were concerned Safety Network meetings don’t follow the Open Meetings Act and singled out the Cure Violence Program. City Manager Patrick Urich reported the city has approximately $7 million in funding for violence reduction. Councilor Sid Ruckriegel said funds should be used appropriately and restrictions set by state should be transparent.
Carolyn Vasquez, community advocate from Project Amani, outlined a Chicago violence reduction program focused on youth. Marc Porch outlined the Performing Open Hearts and Violence Interrupters program.
The council met July 9 in a closed session to seek consensus on transparency and moving forward on prevention of gun violence. Twelve citizens addressed the council.
On July 12, councilors voted for a July 19 policy session on violence reduction funding. Members would have the opportunity to identify available state and federal funding, as well as check the timeline for allocation and deadlines.
Councilors approved $3.2 million to purchase fire apparatus from Pierce Macqueen and replace aging equipment. Lead time has gone from eight to nine months to 26 to 27 months; the money will be paid on receipt of equipment in 2024.
Finance Director Kyle Cratty offered information on revenue growth, inflation and planning for 2023 budget. General fund target balance for city is 25%. It’s currently at 24%. Discussion included impact of online sales tax revenues, as well as the City’s unfunded pension liability. The goal is to present final budget for approval November 15.
Note: Special policy session July 19 to review violence reduction funding was held. Seven community members spoke.
Peoria County Board
On July 14, the board met with all present but member Brandy Bryant.
The Consent Agenda passed 17-0. Items included: a professional services agreement to help resolve the $1.2 million in outstanding Medicaid balances related to Heddington Oaks; agreements for the County to provide police services for the airport and Dunlap schools; engineering and architecture services for renovation of the IT and public defenders departments in the Peoria County Courthouse.
Regular agenda items were approved following questions and discussion. That included appointment of Christopher Watkins as Peoria County Sheriff. He won the June 28 primary since he had no Democratic opponent.
Election Commission
On July 12, Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met with Commissioner Sandra Burke absent.
Long-time Executive Director Tom Bride resigned. After 17 years leading the city and then the combined city/county elections office, he will be moving to Florida.
Expenditures for primary election judges were approved for up to $58,000 to cover judges for election day, early voting, and vote by mail. Runbeck Election Services, which has given excellent service in the past, was approved for printing for the November general election.
In the June primary, only two of 1,000 to 2,000 primary mail-in ballots, were not postmarked, and they were dated. Feedback from election judges was positive overall for the new voting system.
Peoria Park District
On July 13, board trustees discussed voting boundaries, which must be changed every 10 years.
Districts must be compact, contiguous, proportional (representing an equal number of people). They are to maintain a majority of minority voters in the Southern district and respect geographic boundaries.
Four redistricting maps were developed based on 2020 census data. Trustee Joyce Harant moved to approve map 2, which failed 2-5. Trustee Alex Sierra then moved to approve map 3, which won unanimously. All maps can be accessed on peoriaparks.org.
Trustee Tim Bertschy asked for clarification on Central States Media’s collaboration with PPD marketing and was told information would be forthcoming.
Carl Cannon was honored upon his retirement. Originally hired as a Program Coordinator in 2001, he founded the Elite Program in 2006. The program is now Elite Outreach, Inc. Trustees unanimously approved transferring the car he used and any Elite donations directly to the new program.
League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. Check https://www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo.