Danville Eyes Possible Service Reductions

The mayor of Danville says dropping property values will likely mean some reductions within city services.

Scott Eisenhauer says he wants to emphasize reductions rather than any cuts, but says the city council didn’t get any more specific Tuesday night.

Eisenhauer says the city is looking at a 9-percent decrease in the Equalized Assessed Valuation of property taxes.  

He says one option might be a voluntary severance program for some employees.

“That would be an offering of some combination between a buyout for numbers of years of service, as well as some part of a health insurance package that would encourage them then to voluntary retire, or sever their service to the city," he said.

The mayor says Danville is also looking at a buyout program through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.  Eisenhauer says the city has to look at the impact on pensions first.  He says the rising cost of pensions for police and fire staff could mean this program would hurt more than help.

The Danville City Council is slated approve its tax levy in mid-December, and then determine what services will be reduced.