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5 <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said we could be more flexible on what to use those funds for such as <br />increasing the amount for rehabilitation loan money as part of the affordable housing <br />piece. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said that would be a good discussion to have. He said he would like to <br />expand the tax grant program as reducing the tax rate is not helping the average income <br />residents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that people who do not qualify for the grant program would be <br />better off with a rate reduction. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said that it is harder for people who live in lower assessed houses to <br />pay the increases. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said a tax deferral program is looking better and better. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he likes the idea of seeing what the numbers are this year. He <br />said he agrees with Mr. Lynch that there are a lot of people for whom the tax bill is hard <br />but who will not qualify for the grant program. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said that under his proposal the average home owner would save more <br />than $500 rather than the amount with the reduced tax rate. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said it is likely that more staff will be needed to administer the <br />grant program as the program gets bigger and more complicated, and he recommended <br />that the program be kept as simple as possible. <br /> <br /> It was the consensus of Council set the real estate tax rate at 95 cents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said that Council can amend the tax levy <br />th <br />ordinance and budget appropriation on April 10. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that even if the School budget is not cut this year we need to <br />send the message that if sacrifices are made they need to be a part of that. Ms. Hamilton <br />noted that the Schools will take a $400,000 hit this year as a result of the four cent <br />reduction. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said he thinks that additional revenues will cover the reduction in <br />this year’s budget for the City. He said the Schools have known that their budget will <br />need to be reduced by $200,000 this year. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked how the impact on the School’s budget this year can be <br />softened. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said he thinks the City can cover the additional $200,000 for the <br />School in this year’s budget with additional revenue. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would propose that. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he would agree to cover the additional $200,00 this year, but <br />make it clear that Council is concerned with central office staffing. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell suggested that the issue of using $250,000 in the CIP for housing <br />initiatives for the Housing Authority in lieu of CDBG funds be discussed at the <br />affordable housing work session. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he feels the same about the Housing Authority as he does about <br />the Schools, that they have a great board and leadership and he would like to help them. <br /> <br /> <br />