Money, money, money.

Your elected officials have been preparing budgets with an eye to safety for the public and their own employees. Looks as if there will be plenty of public action to watch in 2024.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Nov. 9 with all members present except Nathan Hoerr.

In regular business, the board approved three zoning requests, including a 28-acre solar farm in Radnor Township; a 45 mph speed limit on Voorhees Road in Kickapoo Township; and a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Council 31/Local 3473. The four employees involved will see 3% annual increases over each of the next five years.

Unanimously approved consent agenda items included:

• A three-year commitment to invest in the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at $25,000 annually.
• A new posted speed limit of 40 mph on a 2.6-mile section of Mossville Road.
• A contract not to exceed $275,000 with CGL Management Group, LLC to create a Jail Master Plan to address necessary capital improvements.

Election Commission

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met Nov. 16, and reinstated return postage for vote-by-mail.

Commissioners received a letter signed by several local organizations requesting the change. The cost was estimated at $6,600 for the primary, and more for the general election. Vote was 3-2, with commissioners James Manning and Jeanne Williamson voting no.

As part of safety changes, the front counter will be modified. New procedures will determine how to handle mail — fentanyl has been sent to some voting officials in other parts of the country — and what to do in the event of an active shooter.

Another 400 tabletop voting booths will be purchased to allow voter lines to move more quickly.

Peoria City Council

A special meeting regarding the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget and a public hearing regarding the property tax levy were held on Nov. 7.

No citizens spoke. The amount proposed is $29,949,599, a 7% increase, which will be used to fund police and fire pensions.
City staff reported on ways to fund fire and rescue services.

Councilors asked what it would cost to fund Rescue Squad One, which was cut in 2018, and operate at full capacity. Finance Director Kyle Cratty estimated that change would decrease financial reserves in the general fund below 25% of total expenses.

On Nov. 14, there were no public comments at a hearing on the 2024-25 Biennial Budget.

As township officials, they approved $33,396 for the general fund and retirement fund for April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. In addition, funding of $1,004,080 was approved for the General Assistance Fund fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echavarria talked about “Know More No More,” a program designed to involve residents in problem solving. Suggestions include maps showing activity near schools and neighborhoods, as well as statistics over 10 years with comparisons to national averages on crime.

The council approved continued suspension of storm water utility tax increases until 2025.

Dunlap District 323

All seven members were present at the regular school board meeting Nov. 15.

There were no public comments at a hearing about issuance of up to $2 million for working cash fund bonds.

The school report card for year 2022-23 was explained.

One highlight: 91% of students in AP courses had passed the tests. Also, SAT composite scores are above the state average. A member of the audience who questioned numbers of absentees was told this is a problem both state-wide and nation-wide; the district is working to improve.

Discussion included problems with Dunlap High School parking. The board said it is working to remedy a lack of spaces and access to entry.

The proposed tax levy must be presented to the board each November. An estimate of the final equalized assessed value (EAV) is used to determine how much the district should ask to levy. The final EAV is available around April 1.

In 2023 the estimated county tax levy rate has a 7.93% increase. In case the estimate is wrong, the board proposes a rate of 9% to ensure it gets the maximum in the education funds. As of June 30, the totals of cash and cash equivalents is $22,944,751 and total for investments is $35,595,519.

There was approval of purchase of more buses for the 2024-25 school year.

League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria webiste