The city is two employees leaner after tonight. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reduced the amount of money it provides the City of Peoria in the form of three grants: the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Act grant and Emergency Shelter Grant.  The grants were reduced by 9.5%, 6%, and 0.5%, respectively.  That’s a lot of lost funding — in fact, it’s a $260,000 drop from last year, and a $903,000 drop since 2002.

That means that the city has to do something to make up for the shortfall.  They decided tonight to take several steps, including a cut in staff.  The Planning Department will lose two employees and funding for specific programs was moved around or reduced. 

Additionally, one staff position will be moved from the Equal Employment Opportunity office to the Inspection Department.  This generated quite a bit of discussion, as Councilman Gulley was opposed to it.  He questioned whether there was enough remaining staff to comply with EEO requirements.

The recommendation passed on a split vote, 6-4.