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April 8, 2021
Peoria city budget set at $695 million BY LAUREN SERRATO Peoria Times Staff Writer
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The city of Peoria’s March 31 budget meeting laid out the financial plan for the year with a budget of $695 million. Mayor Cathy Carlat kicked off the meeting by thanking the room for their hard work on the budget, despite the many challenges the pandemic has caused. “Last year about this time, the COVID-19 pandemic shook our world,” she said. “In spite of all, the pandemic dulled out. As we approach a new budget year, I am proud to report that we do so as a fiscally sound city.”
Carlat said it is important that the budget reflects the city’s commitment to providing exceptional services that meet the priorities of Peoria citizens. “Creating a balanced budget is one of the most important responsibilities of city government,” she said. First to speak directly about the budget was City Manager Jeff Tyne. The budget consists of five main points: balanced budget, commitment to essential services, supports council priorities, no tax increases, and modest utility rate adjustments. Also, the city is proposing a 10-year capital improvement program (CIP) of $835.6
million. The CIP provides a schedule of planned improvements over the next 10 years and identifies the revenue sources that will pay for those improvements. As the community grows, new projects and amenities are needed to serve a growing population and maintain service levels. The proposed CIP funds major investments in parks, roadways, facilities, and water and sewer infrastructure. This includes the construction of several major projects already underway, such as the extension of reclaimed water to Paloma Community SEE
BUDGET PAGE 3
Peoria shop gives PCH patient electric bike BY CONNOR DZIAWURA Peoria Times Staff Writer
When Mesa mom Molly Wright found out through her role with Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Family Advisory Council that a charity was looking for a child who might be able to put an electric bike to good use, she thought of her son. Born with a congenital heart defect that left him with only two chambers, her 12-year-old son Mark has had three open-heart surgeries and is a regular at the hospital, Wright Phoenix Children’s Hospital patient Mark Wright, center, was presentsaid. But despite his desire to be active, his condition has ed with a Comfort Cruiser electric bike. Beverly Hills-based charitable SEE PEDEGO PAGE 3
organization Angela’s Angels partnered with Pedego Glendale/Peoria to make it possible. (Photo courtesy of Pedego)
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