Laserfiche WebLink
Dr. Brown asked if there is interest now in exploring a deferral program which <br />would impact the budget, or if we should ask for a report and consider it at a future date. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said he thinks this is a complex issue. <br /> <br />Mr. Schilling said he would like to look at it in the future. <br /> <br /> There was agreement among Councilors to take the issue up after the budget <br />process. <br /> <br /> Regarding requests by agencies for more money, Mr. Lynch said we should look <br />at the Stepping Stone document and see what matrix we are looking to change. He said <br />he wants to know how many people are in jail and said we should try to drive that down <br />every year. He said we should track the number of people in poverty, the drop out rate, <br />and the teen pregnancy rate which he said is increasing. He said we should agree on <br />certain indicators and use those to deal with agency requests. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said there has to be a City, County and United Way discussion about <br /> <br />this. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Peacock, Assistant City Manager, said that the City has different <br />obligations to fund things such as the Jail. She said that agencies were asked to respond <br />to focus areas. She said it would be very difficult to do what Mr. Lynch is suggesting in <br />this year's budget. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown suggested that Council identify major areas that drive costs and hold a <br />future work session with agencies. He said there would be value in putting City <br />resources toward best practices in those areas. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock said that this could go along with the Comprehensive Plan and <br />Strategic Planning processes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said we need to prioritize what our needs are. He said the message <br />needs to go out to agencies to get ready for some consolidation and sharing. He said we <br />cannot continue down this road. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would like to see a matrix of the last five years of the impact <br />of major programs. He said many agencies dovetail with Social Services. He said we <br />need to expand regional responsibilities. He agreed that agencies need a lot more <br />efficiencies. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he thinks the handout about what makes up the $5 million <br />increase is responsive, and Mr. O'Connell said it will be put on the website. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch said he would like a year by year breakdown of department. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if the $225,000 for housing initiatives is available or if there is <br />a year lag. <br /> <br />Mr. Tolbert said it usually takes a year to use the money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked about the amount in the budget for scholarships, and Ms. <br />Peacock said this is the amount that remains for administration of the community <br />scholarship program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he is bothered by the CIP and feels we are woefully low in <br />funding. He said he thinks the strategic funds should be increased by $200,000. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch said he would like a complete fund balance for all CIP projects. <br /> <br /> <br />