WGFA NEWS for Thursday, February 4, 2010 >
WX > Cloudy, high near 31. West to NW wind 5-10. Snow developing tonight and Friday, accumulations between 1-2 and maybe 2-4 inches in east-central Illinois and northwest Indiana.
> Several Illinois school districts, including Milford, GCMS, Ridgeview-Colfax, Lexington and more…are letting the public know how much their hurting financially. The school districts are displaying on their neon signs how much money the state of Illinois owes them. School districts and governmental bodies have been waiting for months for their share of program reimbursements.
Many of the same school districts are considering drastic program cuts. School board members are being forced to eliminate educational programs because of the continued state funding shortfalls. At GCMS, Superintendent Chuck Aubry said his district has not received one state transportation reimbursement for the current fiscal year, which began July 1, 2009.
> Gibson City leaders are meeting today with ECO Manufacturing reps to announce more details about the plasma-gasification plant planned in the Ford County community. The annexation of the proposed plant site is being worked on by the city council. Mayor Dan Dickey says he has daily contact with ECO reps. An engineering firm has been hired to draft a host city agreement.
> In the wake of Tuesday’s primary election vote, the Iroquois County Board is holding off on any lay-offs until all absentee ballots can be tallied. Despite the failed Public Safety Tax referenda, which called for five sheriff’s department employee lay-offs, a 30-day reprieve will be in place until election officials can account for all ballots. Sixty-five absentee ballots could still be eligible, if they were mailed prior to the February 1st deadline.
Tuesday’s unofficial vote showed the referendum failing by nine votes.
> The Iroquois County Board Finance committee has again extended borrowing power to County Treasurer Mindy Kuntz-Hagan to maintain bacn accounts for payroll. Although borrowing has not been necessary yet, the Treasurer has the authority to borrow up to $400,000 from the Highway Fund. Kuntz-Hagan said as of today (Thurs), there’s funds to meet a February 12th payroll and to pay bills after board approval next Tuesday. State reimbursement monies are needed to meet the February 26th payroll.
> A projected deficit in the city of Watseka has the City Council’s Finance committee suggesting some pro-active measures. The Times-Republic reports committee members agreeing to scale-back on committee meetings and full-council meetings to save money. The re-organization could begin next month. Committee members also discussed a reduction in capital purchases and asking department heads to monitor employee overtime and fuel expenses.
“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA
