As the budget impasse continues with the State of Illinois, the effect it is having on municipalities is getting greater by the day. At Monday night’s Vandalia City Council, Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman discussed the issue during the Treasurer’s Report. Gottman presented council members and the media with spreadsheets of numbers showing the different tax categories and when the last payments were received for each and how much money the city is missing. Some categories such as gaming revenue and motor fuel tax haven’t been received since June.
And to go along with revenue money not being paid, the state hasn’t been keeping up on their water and sewer bills from the city with the total number owed by the state topping $200,000.
With the tough positions the city is facing due to the state not making payments, Mayor Gottman is asking for city department heads, council members and even the public to share possible ways to make cuts without affecting city employees. And we have more from Mayor Gottman about that tomorrow on Newscenter.