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62 Mr. Gillaspie said he will provide that information. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Gillaspie said that there are normally at least 30 vacancies in a given year. Mr. Caravati said he would like information on the actual total cost of English as a Second Language over the past two to three years. Mr. Schilling said he would like a report on the number of central office staff compared to a comparable division in Virginia such as Caroline County. Mr. Schilling asked what the Schools are doing to get any tests that are out of line back in line and how quickly. Mr. Lynch said it would be helpful to identify which programs in the School budget are pass through programs (i.e. paid for from elsewhere). He asked if there is anything in the budget that addresses the high school dropout rate. Ms. Gronlund said that this is one objective in the Strategic Plan. Ms. Gronlund said she thinks it is better to look at the whole picture when making comparisons to other divisions, and include teachers and administrators. Mr. Schilling said the per capita spending article was not very favorable. He asked what the Schools are doing to ensure the safety of teachers, students and administrative staff. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Gillaspie said the anticipated amount of money from the State came from the Governor’s proposed budget. Dr. Brown said he thinks it is important for Councilors to distinguish between things that relate to this year’s budget and those questions that are more long term. Mr. Caravati said care should be taken when comparing our School system to other localities and said the comparison needs to be apples to apples. PRESENTATION : CITY MANAGER’S PROPOSED BUDGET Mr. O’Connell described the major budget themes: cut the tax rate by two cents to reduce the impacts of rising real estate assessments; provide $420,000 for a new tax relief program for low to moderate income homeowners; maintain high quality City services; reduce positions and operational expenses by $1.045 million; and high priority support for City Schools. Mr. O’Connell said that eight positions are eliminated in the General Fund. Mr. O’Connell reviewed budget expenditures and revenues. Mr. O’Connell reviewed the major expenditure highlights: total operating budget of $110 million; $34 million for City Schools; Council reserve of $75,000; $1.34 million for tax relief programs; $1.9 million for the Comprehensive Services Act; $5.9 million plus $1.5 million from meals tax revenue and $250,000 from Fire Department for debt service; $1 million for Ivy Landfill cleanup; $600,000 for fund balance target funding; $28,500 for downtown mall afternoon trash pick up; $35,000 for temporary employees for leaf collection; $12.94 million in capital projects; funding of public safety, arts, educational and human service agencies; operational budget increases (fixed costs); retirement and health care costs; 4% salary increase and market rate adjustments. Reductions include: $234,000 due to the elimination of eight employees in the General Fund; elimination of the large item pickup; changes to pool hours and programming; attrition savings in Police Department; computer replacement reserve; general fund transfer to capital improvement projects fund; and life insurance savings. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. O’Connell said there was a trend of vacancies in the Police Department as well as known retirements coming up. Mr. Caravati asked that a chart for tax relief for the elderly be done to align with the chart presented on the affordable housing program.