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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-1974 Minutes166 MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING CALL TO ORDER: DECEMBER 2, 1974 Meeting called to order at 7:35 P.M. by the Honorable Donald D. Linton, Mayor. ROLL CALL: By Clerk's representative. Councilmen present were: S.K. Adams, M.R. Denney, Donald Linton, Jan Tidrick and Bill Wilkins. Councilmen Billie Sargent and Al Schor were absent from the meeting. Also present were.c Harry D. Kinzer, City Manager; Patrick Roach, City Attorney;'Leo E. Olney, Finance Director; James Ajax, City Engineer; Iry Kau, Director of Public Works; Al Tebaldi, Chief of Police and Webster Jackson, Director of Urban Renewal. MAYOR DECLARED PUBLIC HEARING OPEN FOR BUDGET FOR CITY OF PASCO FOR THE YEAR 1975. Mayor Linton asked the City Manager for comments. Mr. Kinzer explained the items presented to the Council amounting to $120,000 which were suggested to the Council for -review as possible places to cut-back .(,$85,000, or 2% Utility Tax) which may be needed for either CBD or Inter -City Bridge. Some of the items (Capital Outlay) although very needed items, could be deferred until a later date. He requested the Council's expression of priority. Mayor=Linton asked for comments from the audience. Wilbur Rees, Director of Benton -Franklin Volunteer Probation Program expressed dismay at the proposed cut in the amount designated to his program. Originally he had asked for $2,000, subsequently had requested an additional $1660, for a total of $3660. He feels his program is rehabilitating many people and preventing their enter- ing institutions. Their rate of success appears to be very good; 95% of the males and 98%,of the females finished their probation without having to be re- turned. He feels that without the program, in the long run, it would be more expensive to the community. John Colgan, Director of Tri -Cities Group Homes, Inc. said he did not find his program on the list of proposed places for cut back, and did that mean that he was funded? The reason he was inquiring was that as he had written in his letter to the Council previously, the Social Planning Commission had said that they did not need money --but the Social Planning Commission were mistaken. (They were mistaken with a Richland program --no connection) Mr. Scheline, Social Planning Commission, resented the.drastic cuts on the total items -suggested by that Committee. A1most the_.total- suggested- program pre- sented by the Soci l Planning Commission has been'eliminated. The Mayor again explained that these items, as propdsed for possible cut back, were not firm --merely suggestions for examination. The City did not have money enough;to do everything requested'and had to adjust some items within the ex- penditures. Mr. Denney said we had.this to face every year. The Manager had submitted a balanced budget to the Council.. However, he had used the $85,000 (2% Utility Tax) to balance. Now it was up!to the Council to set the priority cuts -- that is not the privilege oP obligation of the Manager, it is the responsibility of the Council. Mr. Denney said he had asked the'City Manager when cuts are made in the expendi- tures.that he give the Councilmen lists of the things that are made -- also, assign to -those cuts the Council's priorities for placing back into the Budget; should there be funds forth coming. He said his priority for replacing into the Budget would be l) Police, $4,500; 2) Fire, $5,300, both being much needed equipment in the two Departments. Mr. Tidrick asked why this $120,000 was set aside and how was it going to.,be used? What was the Council planning to do with that amount? Mr. Denney explained re: the 2% Utility Tax for possible retirement of bonds (CBD or Bridge) which was an unknown amount at this time. The $120,000 was presented from which to determine the makeup of $85,000 (2% Utility + $15,000 committed to East Pasco Neighborhood Facility). Mr. Tidrick then requested Staff to furnish the reference to use of 2% Utility Tar long range plan. b7 MINUTES PASCO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET -MEETING' - DECEMBER 2, 1974 If funds were not needed for new bridge, Mr. Tidrick expressed concern as to how we were going to use the funds in the C.B.D. - how the money was going to be used. Mayor Linton responded by stating that the funds would be used for retirement of bonds (which kind of bonds was undecided at this time) . At this time, Mr., Scheline again protested the low percentage of funds allocated to the Social Services. Mr. Denney replied that all three cities are having the same budget problems. Last year, the City of Pasco was'leader in the allocation to outside agencies. This year, Richland proposes cutting staff in Police Department (16). We could cut out 10 - 12 policemen - that would balance our budget, but that would be foolish, people wouldn't want it and we need more policemen and firemen. With the budget, as submitted, with just the cost of living increase in salaries and all departments running short handed, we just need to determine how and where to cut. Wilbur Rees questioned the amount allocated to the Humane Society. He was of the opinion it was $70,000; actually, at 700 per capita, the allocation to Humane Society is $9,900. Last year, it was 600 per capita. The City Manager stated, "re the 2i; whatever the debt service retirements - concur that it may be extending the problem, but we will not need the funds for Debt Service Bond retirement for either CBD or Bridge in the year. 1975, could be 1976." Mayor Linton was apprehensive of what we may face as cost items on the two projects, both coming up within the next 90 days. Mayor Linton asked for further comments or questions. Hearing none, meeting declared closed. Mr. Kinzer stated, "I might add that we can have consecutive hearings prior to the last day, December 6th. We need to adopt budget prior to end of 1974." ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. D. LINTON, MAYOR ATTEST: Leo E. Olney, Director of Finance an Ex -officio City Clerk PASSED and APPROVED this_day of (�o ��� , 1974. Esther Schlagel, Clerk's Representative LJ