New Pickleball Courts on the Horizon: The Streator City Council approved the 2025 budget on Wednesday, which includes funding for new pickleball courts, enhanced lighting at Bodznick Park, and a new electrical generator for City Hall. The proposed general fund expense budget totals $13,153,878, reflecting an increase of $175,605 from the previous year.
Budget Breakdown
City Manager David Plyman explained that a significant part of the budget increase is designated for fulfilling the city’s pension obligations. Over the years, pension contributions have increasingly consumed a larger portion of the city’s tax revenue.
Plyman noted that about $204,000 of the budget increase will be allocated to fire and police department pensions, which are legally required to meet a 90% funding threshold by 2040.
Waste Management and Sewer Fund Concerns
The budget also addresses issues related to the city’s waste management system. Streator is expected to use reserves from the sewer fund to support ongoing projects. However, the sewer fund is projected to operate at a deficit, prompting staff to rely on these reserves to cover costs.
Plyman mentioned that the city’s contract with Waste Management is set to expire soon. Discussions are underway regarding potential rate increases.
“We will most likely need to adjust rates, but we need to wait until the contract is finalized to better understand the costs.” – (David Plyman)
Additional Council Approvals
In addition to the budget, the City Council approved the purchase and installation of a new return-activated sludge pump for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. They also approved a resolution to appropriate $439,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for roadway maintenance projects.
The approval of the 2025 budget signals the city’s commitment to enhancing recreational facilities and addressing essential services. With projects like new pickleball courts and infrastructure improvements, Streator aims to foster community engagement and ensure the sustainability of its services in the coming years.
News in Brief: New Pickleball Courts on the Horizon
The Streator City Council approved the 2025 budget, totaling $13,153,878, which includes funding for new pickleball courts and enhanced lighting at Bodznick Park. City Manager David Plyman noted that a significant portion of the budget increase addresses pension obligations for fire and police departments.
The budget also tackles waste management issues, with projected deficits in the sewer fund. Additionally, the council approved a new sludge pump for the Waste Water Treatment Plant and allocated $439,000 for roadway maintenance, demonstrating a commitment to community improvement.
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