City of Mt. Carmel officials are hoping for the best when it comes to the city’s new budget that starts May 1st. At last week’s City Council meeting, Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire said the ill-effects of COVID-19 on revenues could be offset to a certain degree by the fact city revenues finished ahead of projects in the current fiscal year. A big hit to the city government caused by the lockdown is gambling revenues.
City Clerk Rudy Witsman said the city receives roughly $5,000 to $7,000 a month in gaming revenues. That has gone to zero since the lockdown started on March 20th. Ikemire also said the city will see sales and income taxes critically impacted as well. He did commend all city departments for their work on holding the line on the new budget during these uncertain times.