RR Donnelley closure to impact Jefferson City budget

The city council in Jefferson City discussed the RR Donnelley plant closure as well as a deal to build a new multimillion dollar road at its meeting Monday night.

Chamber of Commerce president talked about the loss of 500 jobs due to RR Donnelley’s announcement it will close its operations in the capital city.

City leaders say they will need to make a major budget adjustment due to the plant closure. The impact on the budget could be as high as six figures and officials may start as early as Thursday to modify the budget.

The City Council is also expected to hear from landowners hoping to land a deal with the city to build a new road to connect Mission and Wildwood drives.

Landowners want the city to spend half-cent sales tax money — about $6 million — to connect the roads, instead of taking on the costs themselves.

The non-binding agreement means council members would agree to use the sales tax money in the next cycle, beginning in 2017, to build the road.

Some council members are apprehensive about the plan because it would involve spending all of the money in one project and would not allow for any other investments, including fire engines, street upgrades or other capital improvements.