BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – Belleville elected leaders have voted unanimously to dissolve a township serving the same area as the city.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1NTsvLR ) reports the Belleville City Council voted unanimously Monday night to eliminate the township.

The move comes after state lawmakers approved a provision last year giving the city and the township board a right that previously required voter approval. Most of Illinois’ more than 1,400 townships assess property taxes and handle road maintenance.

The Belleville township’s only role was to provide temporary financial assistance to several dozen needy families each month. City clerk Dallas Cook estimates the move will save $260,000 annually.

The northern Chicago suburb of Evanston paved the way for Belleville when it dissolved its township in 2014.