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12 Ms. Hamilton said she needs more time to think about how the money should be spent, though she agrees about Smith Pool and sewers. She said funding for transit is worth thinking about further. She said the School request seems excessive, and she needs more information. She said we cannot continue to shower the Schools with money. Mr. Norris said he would like to discuss the surplus in a more holistic manner, and made a pitch for the proposal he and Mr. Taliaferro made about taking the portion of the surplus that came from the increased tax assessments and providing a flat cash rebate to citizens. He noted, however, that staff gave compelling reasons why this idea is fraught with challenges, both logistical and legal, and it is not as easy a solution as he had hoped. He suggested considering putting these funds into the tax relief program for the elderly, handicapped and low and moderate income citizens. Mr. Lynch said the way to give the money back is to reduce the tax rate. He said he is not surprised at the surplus amount. Mr. Taliaferro said he and Mr. Norris had good intentions about the rebate, but he realizes there are difficulties with the proposal. He said he likes the idea of putting it into transit to make it free. He noted that this is the people’s money and he would like to try to use it to benefit the general populace. Mr. Lynch said he thinks neighborhoods would favor putting money into neighborhood policing, transportation and schools. He said he would like to see more emphasis by the Schools in increasing graduation rates. Dr. Brown said he is hearing that there is agreement in giving some but not all of the funds requested by the Schools for technology, and getting more information. REPORT : FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET GUIDELINES; LONG TERM FINANCIAL FORECAST Ms. Leslie Beauregard, Director, Budget and Performance Management, reviewed the budget timeline, financial forecast, major new expenditure increases and reductions, proposed budget guidelines and meeting dates. She said Council is being asked for guidance on the guidelines, priorities, and meeting dates. Mr. Taliaferro said he is glad to see the City is moving ahead with performance measurements, and said that will be helpful especially if reductions have to be made. Mr. Norris proposed the following: having a work session or public hearing in January that would focus on opportunities for cost savings and/or reductions; creating a small incentive fund to reward employees who find ways to improve services; requesting information from the Schools about cost savings that could be realized by reducing the size of central administration; increase the amount of County revenue sharing funds dedicated to the CIP from 50% to 75%; and create a dedicated sources for affordable housing over the coming years. Mr. Lynch said he would like to say that the budget will grow no more than 5%. He questioned some of the assumptions made by staff, and said he thinks the County revenue sharing amount will be higher than project. He said the Homestead exemption is not mandated for localities. He said he thinks there is room for growth on the commercial side of assessments. Mr. Taliaferro said he agrees with having a percentage increase to start with, but would like to see what the impacts would be incrementally. Ms. Hamilton said Council needs to discuss how to put its priorities before the Schools. She said the budget is the only power Council has over the School Board. Dr. Brown said the Schools began new initiatives last year at the middle school level in order to improve graduation rates. He said he would like to stay within the 40% of new money guideline for the Schools. He said he likes the idea of a public meeting in