Peru treasurer explains proposed operating budget

Take a glance at the proposed operating budget for Peru and you’ll probably come up with more questions than answers.  The Fiscal Year 2012 budget is two weeks away from being approved.  Treasurer Gary Hylla gave city officials a rundown of expected cash flow and fund balances Monday night.

Hylla says a $1.3 million budget deficit isn’t what it seems.  He says the new accounting system includes depreciation of city property, which is driving up expense figures even though it’s not money the city is paying out.  He’s also budgeted to pay the full minimum contributions for pensions funds.

As for revenue, Hylla says he tried to be conservative when estimating sales tax revenue.  He expects the city to receive $999,000 in property tax payments this year.  While gross EAV was down, EAV after the exemptions and TIF districts increased over the previous year.

A budget hearing will be held April 25 prior to the city council meeting.  You can see a copy of the proposed budget by going to Peru’s Website.

Health and wellness topic of upcoming IVAC program

There a benefits to having a healthy staff.  “Building Better Health – Discovering Wellness in the Workplace” is the topic of the next IVAC Business Breakfast Seminar.

Brittney Junker, a registered dietician with the Decatur Memorial Hospital Wellness Center will talk about the preventative health/wellness services that small business can offer to employees, what preventative services are covered by new insurance plans, and ideas on how to get started.

The program will be Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Mario’s Maples Supper Club in Peru.   Make reservations by calling IVAC no later than noon Tuesday.

Rally for Better Education scheduled for IVCC

Many people haven’t thought about schools and education since their youngest child graduated, and they’re exactly who an area organization is trying to engage.

The “Public Rally for Better Education” is being coordinated by North Central Betterment Coalition and the Illinois P20 Council.  J. Burt is with NCRBC.  He says education is important to everyone even if you don’t realize it yet.  He says the numbers show improvements in education leads to a better local economy.

They want parents, future parents and anyone concerned with the future of the Illinois Valley to attend the rally and listen to a panel of speakers the include a mix of education officials.

The keynote speaker will be Kim Miller with the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership.

The rally is at 6:30pm Tuesday at Illinois Valley Community College.  It’s open to everyone.

You can learn more about the effort by listening to an interview with Burt available at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Body Part Found Near Starved Rock

Conservation Police and members of Peru and Ottawa River Rescue Squad’s are searching the Illinois River today for a body.

Conservation Sgt. Robert Frazier says people fishing across the river from the Starved Rock boat ramp yesterday afternoon noticed a body part floating up to shore.  Frazier won’t say what body part it was but said it wasn’t badly decomposed.

Frazier says they don’t know yet if the body part could belong to 43 year old Susan Schultz of Marseilles.  She was reported missing on March 23.

The search for Schultz has focused in and around the Illinois River.  Today searches are focusing on the stretch of river from Starved Rock west to Hennepin.

Alleged Drunk Driver Takes Out Road Signs And Power Line

If you live near Troy Grove, you may have lost power Friday evening because of a drunk driver.

Anthony Grotti of Peru was arrested for DUI after he allegedly drove into power pole guide wire, two road signs and a telephone box.  Grotti was also picked up for possession of cannabis, improper lane usage, no insurance, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and leaving the scene of an accident.

The crash happened on North 34^th Road just southwest of Troy Grove.

Streator Wants Own Drug Dog

A community drug coalition is trying to raise cash for a drug sniffing dog.

The Streator Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition wants to raise enough money for the Streator Police Department to have a drug dog.  The cost is estimated to be between eight to ten thousand dollars.

The coalition met with Streator Police Chief Jeff Anderson last week to talk about the K-9 fundraiser.  They meet the first Thursday of every month at Streator City Hall.

Fundraiser Underway For New Memorial Piece

With more names going on the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial this year, plans are underway to make it easier to find a fallen soldier on the wall.

The Marseilles Middle East Conflicts Wall Committee wants to put up a touch-screen kiosk with all the soldier’s names.  They think it’ll cost 20 thousand dollars.  Illinois Valley Cellular would provide internet to the kiosk.

A fundraiser pig roast for the kiosk is April 30^th at Fat Daddy’s Bar and Grill in Seneca.