At the Union Area Chamber of Commerce annual membership dinner Thursday night, Rost told Chamber members that the city has been preparing for an economic slump for three years.

"We were able to predict this downturn and we planned for it," he explained. "Last year we were within 1 percent of our actual revenue and by being very conservative we were able to curb spending."

Rost said that it is now more important than ever to spend money in Union instead of other areas. He added that he tries to shop, dine and purchase services in the city limits, instead of other taxing entities, when possible to generate tax revenue.

"It is now more important than ever to go locally," he said.

Rost said that the city has received little stimulus funding, but there could be funds in the future.

"A lot of people think there are a lot of incentives but we haven't seen a lot," he said. Rost added that the city received about $250,000 to fund a portion of Church Street upgrades.

He said that over the next few years the city could see more federal funds. "Federal agencies aren't designed to see that much money come through them so it takes awhile," said Rost. "I hope that next year we will see more." When asked, Rost said the city is not now considering to build a parking structure for the downtown area.

"So far it has not been feasible to build a parking garage," he said. Rost added that the "number of spaces are not an issue," but instead the available spaces aren't always close to the business that the motorist is soliciting.

"I don't think it is that we don't have parking spaces, but that they are not conveniently located."

Rost also fielded a question about plans to widen Denmark Road. He explained that both Denmark and Prairie Dell roads are priorities for the city, but funding is not available now.

"They are on the radar screen but it is a matter of locating funding," he said. Highway 50, which was estimated to cost the city $7 million, now should cost $5.5 million between city, county and state entities, Rost said. He added that any cost over $7 million would have been the responsibility of the city.

"That project is being done under budget," said Rost. "We are getting projects done and being very frugal with our spending."

During the Chamber dinner, retiring Chamber board member Ted Schroeder was recognized, as well as new board members Tammy Lane and Tammy Weinhold. The board president for 2009 is Aaron Hall.