There’s a city council meeting tonight. Here are some items of interest:
- There’s a request to use Tazewell County Asphalt Company to seal a parking lot behind the city’s municipal services building. I wonder why the council would even consider patronizing businesses in East Peoria — a city they believe tolerates discrimination, as they made perfectly clear a few weeks ago. Will they reject this bid and any others until these communities adopt the same Fair Employment and Housing Commission statutes as Peoria?
- Despite all the cost cutting, the city will still have to raise property taxes. A truth in taxation hearing will be held tonight.
- Comcast’s cable franchise agreement with the city, which expired way back in 2006, is up for yet another temporary extension. Will a permanent agreement ever be reached?
- Continued discussion on the 2010 budget, including a discussion on the cost of police uniforms.
- Taxes are also going up in the “Town of Peoria.” You gotta love the “Town of Peoria.” It has the same borders as the City of Peoria, and the City Council members are the Town Trustees. Yet, they get over $2 million in separate tax levies. Illinois: king of superfluous municipal organizations.
Has anyone ever looked into getting rid of the Town of Peoria and Peoria Township? What function does this serve and can any money be saved by riding us of these two entities?
Why stop there? The City Treasurer could be handled by the City Budget office, the City Clerk could be handled by the Mayor’s secretary, the Township Supervisor could be handled by the City Budget office doling out General Assisstance to the needy and the Assessor could be contracted out by an appraisal company. The list could keep going.