By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s city manager said Monday night the city financial condition might not be so dire, although there still will be significant revenue declines because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

City Manager Tim Gleason told the council revenue losses will be about $1 million less than initial projections.

Gleason’s staff originally estimated revenue would be down about $7.3 million if Gov. JB Prizker’s stay-at-home order lasted until June 1. According to Gleason, city revenues were higher than expected for the recently-completed fiscal year even though that included the first month-and-a-half of the economic shutdown.

“Revenues at least up to this point have been, I don’t want to say strong, but they have definitely been better than what we projected,” said Gleason during the council’s committee-of-the-whole meeting.

Gleason said the city government has reduced spending by doing without some equipment purchases and projects, and not hiring some seasonal employees.

Gleason said Finance Director Scott Rathbun will provide more specifics about city finances at next Monday night’s city council meeting.

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