On Monday night, Interim City Manager Ned Keefe delivered his City Budget proposal to the City Council through a late submission that was entered into the record.
According to Council President Leo Robinson, the Council will deliberate on the budget during sessions scheduled for May 18, 19 and 20.
Keefe noted that the budget represents a 7.6 percent increase to $148.9 million compared to the previous year. To achieve the spending targets, he explained, the City would need to draw $1.809 million from Free Cash to address the shortfall. While this amount exceeds projections, Keefe stated that “fblikebutton_button” but the City maintains reserves that can fill in the gap associated with higher than anticipated spending requirements.”fblikebutton_button”
School expenditures account for the majority of the budget growth, according to Keefe.
He elaborated: “fblikebutton_button”The budget increase of $10.5 million is attributable, in part, to the $6.3 million increase in the School Department/Vocational School budget which is the result of additional state school aid,”fblikebutton_button” and added that “fblikebutton_button”Charter schools represent another significant cost to the…budget, at an increase of $2.7 million. Combined, the overall education costs represent the greater share of overall increase in the budget.”fblikebutton_button”
Key elements of the proposal include:
- Five new uniformed police officers, with the City providing a 25 percent match to secure federal grant funding.
- Conversion of the crime watch position into a Community Engagement Specialist role for the police department, along with continued funding for two drug outreach navigators and a prostitution task force coordinator.
- Eighteen new positions within the School Department.
- Two additional City Hall positions: one for economic development in the Planning Office and one for housing inspections in the ISD.
Keefe noted that implementation of the budget will require a 2.5 percent tax increase, though this will not necessitate a Proposition 2 1/2 vote.
Additionally, he highlighted that the budget continues to reduce the City’s debt service obligations.