The Kankakee City Council approved a new crematorium on West Court Street at its Dec. 7 meeting.
The crematorium, operated by Clancy Funeral Homes Inc., will be located at W. 1898 Court St., just down the road from one of the company's funeral homes.
The council also approved Donna Mitchell's request to rezone 703 S. Lincoln Ave. from commercial to single-family residential zoning.
The council heard a presentation of the city's financial audit for fiscal year 2015 that showed the city's finances to be in good order.
"It showed that we concluded our fiscal year 2015 in a very, very strong position," Mayor Nina Epstein said. "We, as a city, can only deliver the services and the things that our residents expect if we have a strong financial foundation. And, so we are always very, very adamant about the way the city’s finances are run. And this was a particularly good year."
Epstein cited a slower than expected loss of sales tax, new revenue streams and streamlined staffing levels as contributors to the city's stability, though Epstein also said the city will need to continue finding a way to balance its required pension contributions and other state-mandated bills.
Alderman Dennis Baron suggested continued focus on raising the estimated values of city property through various kinds of development, bringing in more revenue through the same percentage of tax levied.
The council also approved new handicapped parking at 506 N. Adams St. and 2240 W. Bourbonnais St., while removing one handicapped parking space from 309 S. Fifth Ave.
Alderman Fred Tetter was absent.
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