While department heads indicated they were pleased overall with what they could possibly be getting for the upcoming fiscal year, there were discussions of funding positions for the parks and recreation and planning and development departments.
(The city will present the entire budget summary Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street)
As proposed now, the city would seek loans for the following:
Four Ford Interceptors for the police department at $160,000.
A refuse vehicle for public works at $190,000.
Mower replacement
— two each for public works and parks and recreation — at $36,000.
Eight air packs for the fire department at $60,000.
A vehicle for planning and development at $25,000.
A parks and recreation truck at $25,000.
A parks and recreation tractor at $15,000.
Major items not sought for funding through loan proceeds include the following:
Three entry-level positions for public works at $120,000.
Trash carts at $30,000.
Road maintenance at $100,000.
Parks and recreation facility improvements at $25,000.
Guns for the police department — 25 — at $12,500.
Library carpet at $12,000.
Public Works Director said he had no issues with the items he requested and fire Chief Stacey Coggins said, “I'm with Larry. I'm content with the air packs.”
Police Chief Chuck Hasty said, however, he would rather get two new dogs if he couldn't get the 50 handguns he needs.
Councilman Carl Ferebee opened the door to discussion which could lead the police department to getting 50 handguns to replace its aging arsenal. “Somehow, I have a different view. If you need the guns, you need the guns. I would hate to see them fail at the wrong time. If you need the guns, you need the guns.”
“I would prefer guns,” Hasty said.
Councilman Wayne Smith said, “Some of the things like guns could be added in. It's not going to be that much more.”
Councilman Ernest Bobbitt suggested the city fund the weapons and the air packs, which would give the fire department a total of 15 for the upcoming fiscal year. “Some things are more important than others.”
Councilwoman Carol Cowen, however, expressed concern with the loan idea. “I'm getting an uncomfortable feeling and the borrowing, borrowing, borrowing. We're not generating extra dollars.”
City Manager Joseph Scherer has said he is planning the budget with no tax increase proposed and possibly pulling close to $1 million from the city's fund balance. The city currently has about $4.3 million in fund balance, he said.
