1995-03-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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140 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WiLL BE HELD ON Wednesday, March 15, 1995 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA iS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Work Session BY ORDER OF TilE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 15, 1995 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Ms. Daugherty, Rev. Edwards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, h, ir. Vandever. CiTY SCHOOL BUDGET Referring to the school's request that the City fund a half-time drug coordinator, Ms. Slaughter asked why the position was eliminated if the schools now say it is needed. Rev. Edwards stated that he would favor having a full-time drug coordinator, similar to what was in place previously. Mr. Toscano questioned whether the administration funds for the grants administered by the drug coordinator position would be available to fund the position, and Ms. Linda Peacock, Budget Administrator, stated that administration funds could be used for this purpose, but they are currently used to fund the school's central office. Ms. Slaughter explained that the school are looking into a $42,000 State grant that may be available for setting up an additional four-year old classroom, which would require local matching funds. Ms. Slaughter stated that the funding may be available for only one year, but it would serve 15 children. Ms. Slaughter stated that she would like to use the Council reserve to expand the program, between $65,000 and $125,000 for one to two classrooms. Rev. Edwards questioned why the schools and City have separate bookkeeping systems and health care benefits, and asked that this issue be addressed in the next budget cycle. l/Ir. Vandever stated that he had to leave the meeting early and said he did not want to add $100,000 to the School's budget to make up the difference between the school and City budgets, did not want to add the $26,000 for the half-time drug coordinator, and did not want to return the $32,000 over-budgeted in the City budget for the alternative school. Mr. Vandever stated that he would consider adding funds for an additional four-year program when other needs are considered by Council. Rev. Edwards expressed general agreement with Mr. Vandever, and added that he believes the drug coordinator position (1/2 time City, 1/2 time Schools) needed to be reinstated. Rev. Edwards stated that adding one, possibly two four-year old classes is also a priority Ms. Slaughter stated that she would be x;qlling to transfer the $32,000 overbudgeted for the alternative school to reduce the difference in the local funding for schools as reflected in the school and City budgets. She stated that she would support the drug coordinator position requested by the schools and one or two four-year old classes. It was agreed that there would not be a reconsideration of the gainsharing formula with the schools. Ms. Daugherty expressed support for the half-time drug coordinator and stated that the four-year old program is a priority for her.