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Divided Galesburg City Council Approves $1.2 Million Federal Grant
The Galesburg City Council approved a measure Monday night to accept federal grant money.

The $1.2 million grant was announced a couple weeks ago to foster entrepreneurship and economic development in Knox County.

Council members all seemed to agree with the purpose of the plan to utilize the grant money over three years, but some had trouble with one aspect of the plan.

Fifth Ward Alderman Karen Lafferty wanted to see the hiring of three new employees on a contractual basis only.

"I will not vote for this agreement...if we hire three full city Galesburg staff, when we're having a hard time, and we're asking the Galesburg City Staff to take reductions," Lafferty said. "And we're taking reductions, and trying to find the money to pay them, let alone hiring three people who are going to make $45,000 to $60,000, and a lot of our clerical employees don't make that kind of money."

Alderman in opposition to the plan did not want the city to pay the fridge benefits for new employees, despite the fact all costs of the new employees under the plan would be covered by the grant.

The measure passed by a vote of 5-3, with Lafferty, Wayne Dennis (Ward 2), and Russell Fleming (Ward 3) voting against the measure.
10 05 10 by Newsroom
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