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2 <br /> <br />Commission on Children and Families, a reserve set aside for Community Attention and <br />the Court Assessment Center, and a contingency of $184,744 set aside for the <br />Comprehensive Services Act. Substance abuse programs are proposed to be funded for a <br />year and the Library is proposed to receive additional funds. Changes in the capital <br />budget include $1.5 million over three years for Jefferson School, and increases for <br />housing, mall maintenance and Mclntire Park. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Stuart Dopp, board member of Shelter for Help in Emergency, asked Council <br />to fully fund their funding request. <br /> <br /> Mr. Scott Burns, 209 Montevista Avenue, said that his salary at the University has <br />been frozen, and expressed concern at the increase in the City's budget over the past three <br />years even though the community has not grown. Mr. Burns said his property taxes have <br />increased and in addition Council is proposing increased fees. Mr. Burns said that if the <br />various social programs that the City funds work fimding needs should decrease. Mr. <br />Burns said that certain City programs must he funded, including police, fire, zoning and <br />schools, but he expressed concern about the fare free trolley that serves mostly students. <br />Mr. Burns said the Juvenile Detention Center is too expensive. Mr. Bums said he would <br />like to see the City go to a ward systen~ <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. O'Connell said that SHE <br />requested $90,519, but staffproposed that they receive $82,381 which mounts to a <br />2 1/2 % increase, the average increase given to agencies. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she would like to get background information on the review <br />committee's recommendation for fimding SHE. <br /> Mr. Lynch said that while the budget is not perfect it is tight. He said he feels <br />there is too much emphasis on strategic investment initiatives and not enough on capital <br />projects, especially for the school system. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said one highlight of the budget is the ability to fund $1.5 million for <br />Jefferson School renovations over three years, and he is proud Council made that <br />commitment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said Council needs to decide about funding some of the unfunded <br />programs out of CDBG funds. Mr. Toscano said that while he agrees it would be good to <br />put more money into the capital budget, there is not sufficient money to do so. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati expressed concern that some of the increases in State funding may <br />decrease next year if the City's census appeal is successful. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that $100,000 in State funding could be reduced after a year, <br />but we A1 not know until we get the fmat numbers from the State. Mr. O'Counell <br />suggested that the budget remain as it is as there could be more State changes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said this year's budget has been difficult because of the lack of <br />flexibility and uncertainty of the State budget. Mr. Caravati said he would like to stay <br />away from fee increases, and would prefer increasing the auto decal by $5 rather than <br />increasing the trash fee and having a 1/2% reduction in departmental budgets. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the question is whether the trash sticker fee should pay for 50% of <br />the cost as it was originally intended .to do. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said he feels the trash sticker fee is a regressive fee. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said the trash sticker program is volume based and is rationally <br />related to the amount of trash generated, and does not feet it is regressive. <br /> <br /> <br />