City officials in Rochelle approved a new fiscal year budget last night as they are looking at revenues and expenditures to each be over 80.5 million dollars. The vote was 6-0 as the new fiscal year begins today for the city. Councilman Dave Eckhardt was absent from the meeting.
The budget includes 3 million dollars for a possible YMCA building along with 2 million dollars for the quiet zones dealing with the train horn issue.
2.6 million dollars was also budgeted for the Wiscold Drive project.
Several buildings will be upgraded. The fire station will have a new roof, generator, and a heating and air conditioning unit.
City Hall will have a new roof and upgrades for the police department in their gun range.
The police department will get 3 new cars which includes a sports utility vehicle and the fire department will buy a new pick-up truck. A new streets sweeper will also be purchased for the city.
There will be no employee cuts and 2 linesmen will be hired for RMU.
City Manager David Plyman said his biggest concerns with the budget is state funds being cut by the Govenror and state lawmakers. That number could reach 6 figures.
Plyman also said that the city is in better financial shape now than 2 years ago. The major reason is the lower payments in health insurance coverage.
