The Peoria City Council voted 8-3 Tuesday to approve eliminating 22 firefighter and 16 police positions as part of a move to close a $6 million budget hole.
Additionally, reductions were made in the city’s community development department. Voting no on the cuts were Beth Jensen, Chuck Grayeb and Jim Montelongo.
The cuts don’t mean 22 firefighters will be laid off, said 1st District Councilwoman Denise Moore. Rather, she said, vacancies that were currently open would not be filled within the departments. The actual number could vary depending on how many employees elect to take advantage of retirement incentives for those with 20 years of service or more.
For weeks, council members have been struggling with ways to close the shortfall in the 2019 budget that has to be approved by the end of December.
The personnel cuts would result in a $3 million savings. Additional revenue sources will need to be approved in the next few weeks.
Second District Councilman Grayeb questioned the impact of proposed cuts to the Fire Department.
“We’re playing Russian roulette with the lives of people in this community,” he said.