Bloomington mayor Tari Renner (Photo by Laura Ewan/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said Gov. Rauner's budget proposal to cut funding for local municipalities is a 'terrible tradeoff.' 

Renner told WJBC's Dan Swaney the governor is trying to force cities and counties to recoup the money on their own. 

"What the state of Illinois is going to try to do is balance their budget on the backs of local governments and cities," Renner said. "Basically, what they are saying is 'We are going to take some of money you have gotten and put it in the Illinois treasury and you go ahead and your raise the taxes. You fall on the dagger."

That plan would cost the city about $4 million per year. Renner said Bloomington's proposed budget can't be cut any further. 

Renner said the city has cut as far as it can cut. 

"There are only so many ways you can save money by using a paper clip over and over," Renner said. "That's where we are."

The city is beginning to pore through a proposed $186 million budget for the 2016 budget year that starts in May. It increases spending by about $6 million, but includes no new staff or expansions of programs or services. 

Renner said non-essential spending for parks and golf courses won't plug the city's $8 million shortfall. 

"If we became the first metro city in the United States to say we are going to abandon trails and parks, we are going to shut down the zoo and the BCPA, you still don't cover the cost," Renner said.  

Election 

Renner said he's encouraged by the results of the city's primary election. Amelia Burgas and Jeremy Kelley were the top two vote-getters in Ward Four.

"We need a positive approach to city hall," Renner said. "We have to deal with solutions, we can't deal with slogans. We can't deal with all the other issues and acrimony and difficulties we've seen. I think that message really resonated."

Renner was frequently at odds with alderwoman Judy Stearns – particularly over the city's finances. Stearns decided not to seek a third term. 

Renner said he's supporting Buragas, but was surprised she got 55 percent of the vote in a five-candidate race. The general election is April 7.

PODCAST: Listen to Dan Swaney and Colleen Reynolds' interview with Renner on WJBC.