KANKAKEE – The Kankakee City Council passed a balanced spending plan for Fiscal Year 2019 last week that averts cuts to police and fire services.

“I am proud of the work we accomplished in delivering a balanced budget for next fiscal year that does not cut vital police and fire services that all residents depend upon,” Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong said. “I would like to thank all of the hard work over the past few weeks by city staff, department directors and the Comptroller in making this a reality.”

The budget makes all statutory mandated pension payments required by Illinois law and closes a projected budget deficit that reached as high as one million at the beginning of the budget creation process.

The budget also includes several efficiency measures Mayor Wells-Armstrong hopes will lead to lower costs for taxpayers in the future. One such efficiency measure is an examination of city vehicle costs that continue to increase year and year.

“There is no question that long-term fiscal challenges remain for the City of Kankakee,” Mayor Wells-Armstrong said. “Like many communities, growing costs and stagnant revenues are putting pressure on our finances like never before. In the months and years ahead, we must continue to look for efficiencies where possible while maintaining high-quality services for Kankakee residents.”

Contact Mayor Wells-Armstrong’s office at (815) 933-0500 for more information.

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