PEORIA,Ill. — President Donald Trump has halted talks regarding comprehensive COVID relief ahead of the November election.
A few days ago, Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich was still hoping the city could see federal funds it needs badly.
Wednesday, Urich told WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, while
putting together the revised 2020 budget and looking ahead to the 2021 budget, Peoria is going to have to borrow money to plug some holes.
“Council has authorized up to borrow up to $10 million for the city, and $4 million to help the Civic Center. And, it’s likely that we’ll have to do that sometime in 2021,” Urich said.
Urich said the latest $2.2 trillion package Congress was looking at could have, over two years, provided Peoria County over $130 million in support of local governments.
Urich is hoping federal assistance isn’t too far down the line for Peoria.
“If they do something after the election or after January, when the new Congress is seated, it would definitely be welcomed,” Urich said.
Revenue losses due to COVID-19 have forced the City of Peoria to make some very tough cuts. Specifically, closing fire stations and other deep cuts to the fire and police departments.
