Galesburg city workers and departments could see a number of significant changes as a part of the budgeting process for fiscal year 2017.
City Council members met last night in a work session where city administration proposed both consolidating departments and making changes to some staffing.
Among changes could include consolidating the Public Works and Community Development Departments into one. City Manager Todd Thompson says the move would create a single a department head and three other positions.
Meanwhile, plans are moving forward to downgrade a position in the Parks & Recreation department. Thompson recommended replacing the position of Recreation Superintendent with Recreation Supervisor.
“The recommendation to replace the Superintendent with the Recreation Supervisor–there you’d save about $38,000,” Thompson said. “This is one position that I would like to move forward with filling immediately.”
No aldermen disputed moving forward on the decision. One cost saving option that was discussed in length last night was a potential closure of the tourism and visitors center and instead creating a marketing position to cover the duties.
But Thompson says,“what I proposed wasn’t my recommendation for what I think we should do, it was an option.”
Council will continue to discuss staffing and the budget over the next few months. Mayor John Pritchard has said the current budget deficit facing the city could range up to $3 million.
