Laserfiche WebLink
21 <br /> <br />invest in the City. Mr. Toscano noted that tax relief programs exist for people who need <br />help. Mr. Toscano said that if Mr. Caravati feels that the tax rate should be cut because <br />of the surplus then maybe Council should return it in a one-time way. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that results of the budget survey in "City Notes" showed very <br />little mandate for reducing any City services. Ms. Richards said she does not see the <br />budget as having a lot of fat in it, and said that the City has a great gainsharing program <br />that encourages cost saving. Ms. Richards said that there is the threat that the State will <br />cut revenue sources and she tbJ_nks there are a tot of needs for fhe future, most of which <br />are not discretionary such as the juvenile detention facility and Comprehensive Services <br />Act. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels a compelling argumem can be made for keeping things the <br />way they are. Mr. Cox said a better way is needed to get feedback from citizens such as <br />through focus groups. <br /> <br /> Ms, Richards noted that last year during the budget process when giving citizens a <br />rebate from the surplus became a live issue, people came and said they did not want it, <br /> <br />LONG TERM NEEDS/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN <br /> <br /> Mr. O'ConneI1 gave a slide presentation showing long-term capital needs <br />throughout the City including: Azalea Park and other parks; Market Street parking <br />garage; downtown mall brick repair; Community Attention Home; Ridge Street <br />Firehouse; McGuffey Art Center; bridges; school facilities; sidewalks; juvenile detention <br />facility; and undergrounding utilities. Mr. O'Connell said a tong-term financing plan is <br />needed to match up with the capital needs and a study needed to help prioritize the needs. <br />Mr. O'Connell said that studies are currently underway for parking, transportation plan, <br />neighborhood improvements, corridors, and court facilities study. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati¢ Ms. Peacock said that originally the <br />City had $50,000 a year budgeted for GIS, but a recent study shows that $500,000 is <br />needed, which is not budgeted, to move forward. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that he finds the capital projects with related operating costs <br />attached troubling, such as the pre-school program and juvenile detention facility, and he <br />is not sure where the revenue will be coming from <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said it appears that the City is going to need ail of the existing tax <br />revenues to pay for things such as the juvenile detention facility and pre-school. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the discussion builds an argument for being very strategic and in <br />creating new revenue sources by developing West Main Street with parking and <br />undergrounding of utilities. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the issue of 800 mhz will be coming to Council in the <br />next few months, which is one of those things that will have future financial impacts. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards expressed concern about the small amount budgeted for housing <br />initiatives. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock explained that the City's $100,000 requested by Piedmont Housing <br />Alliance will leverage an additional $300,000 through the Perry Foundation and other <br />grants. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'ConnelI said that while $1 million has been budgeted for neighborhood <br />improvements coming out of the Comprehensive Plan process, that level has not been <br />budgeted each year. <br /> <br />Mr. COx said he supports the neighborhood initiative. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards agreed and said she feels it is a wonderful initiative. <br /> <br /> <br />