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4 <br /> Mr. O’Connell expressed concern about the process as there would be no <br />opportunity for a public hearing or public debate on the proposal to cut the School’s <br />budget. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said the Schools have been insulated in this process and have not <br />had to consider citizen reaction to the tax increase. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said people want to solve the achievement gap and want to see what <br />the new Superintendent can do. He said the impact of suddenly cutting the School budget <br />by $500,000 may be devastating. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro agreed that the timing is bad. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton agreed that the timing is bad. She said Council could strengthen <br />the Superintendent’s hand to look at staffing in the central office. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said that the City and County Superintendents are having active <br />discussions about merging their Human Resources departments. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said if we keep this level of funding for the Schools we need to get <br />outcomes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he thinks Council has been clear with the School Board that it <br />wants outcomes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that City employees are scrutinized every year and the same <br />does not occur for the Schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said one problem is that Council sets budget guidelines in November <br />and assessments are not done until later. He said he thinks there will also be double digit <br />increases in assessments next year. He suggested that in November we start with a policy <br />of a tax rate cut before the Schools build their budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell noted that this year was different as the Schools got 55% of the <br />new City funding as opposed to the general policy of giving them 40%. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he thinks we are overpaying School salaries and he thinks the <br />Schools are top heavy. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said we should spend time getting in touch with the School Board <br />to let them know what is coming. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he thinks that process wise Council needs to make a decision <br />tonight. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he feels bad dumping on the School at this time. <br /> Dr. Brown noted that no one at the public meeting on the budget discussed <br />reducing the School’s budget. Dr. Brown recommended that the tax rate reduction stay at <br />4 cents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that a deal with the County on the landfill could get us another <br />cent. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said that in a couple of years there will be big hits from the landfill <br />and we need to look five years out. He said this can be revisited later as it will likely take <br />months to get a legal agreement with the County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he would like to make a modest proposal to eliminate the housing <br />trust funds as it has a pretty hefty balance. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said that taking that funding out will put the funding for the CIP <br />below the 3% policy guideline. <br /> <br />