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77 As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said that the form published follows the form exactly as required by State law. Mr. Lynch said that in past years Council has attempted to reduce the rate as property values have increased. Rather than reducing the taxes across the board with a five cent reduction in the overall rate of tax which would include commercial, residential rental and residential home owner properties, Council wants to target tax relief toward homeowners specifically. He said that the tax rate was reduced by four cents last year, but if Council could have focused this reduction on homeowners there could have been a 12% reduction. He said a $250 rebate is being targeted which would amount to an equivalent reduction in taxes equal to 10 cents. PUBLIC HEARING : 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. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Naomi Roberts, 1140 St. Clair Avenue Extended, thanked Council for holding the public forum on Saturday. She said City retirees need to know what changes are being proposed. She said she was told by a Councilor that the City salary increase may be decreased by half. She asked why are City employees treated differently than School employees. She said she does not support elimination of the large item pickup. She said the public feels like Council does not listen to the public. Ms. Josephine Marshall, 807 Druid Avenue, speaking on behalf of Mountainside Senior Living, said that since JABA has taken over the facility thing have improved. She said the only things lacking are a dental program and access to dental care. She asked Council to continue funding for this facility because it houses people that need it the most. Ms. Lida Hurst, Chief Operating Officer of Jefferson Area Board for Aging, thanked Council for providing upfront funding for Mountainside. She asked Council to reconsider providing funding this year. She said there is no other place for these residents to go. Ms. June King, an administrator at Mountainside, urged Council, on behalf of the 105 seniors who reside at Mountainside, to provide funding.