Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW)- The Springfield city budget was the topic of discussion this morning at the Citizens Club of Springfield meeting.

City of Springfield’s Director of the Office of Budget and Management, Ramona Metzger, gave an overview of how the projected 740 million will be spent. The city’s income totaling over 719 million, putting the budget at about a 21 million dollar deficit, was cause for concern for some in attendance. Metzger assured that the budget is balanced. Some of the money will be coming out of a fund balance, and some was received in previous years for projects yet to be completed.

Mayor Buscher discussed some of the new initiatives on the horizon. For example, the police department will be initiating de-escalation tactic training, increasing mental health response units, and upgrading tasers, among other things.

Also in the works are the 3rd and 19th street greenways, renovating the Springfield Lake beach house, and connecting all bicycle paths throughout the city.