The shrinking city budget does not raise the property tax or residential sanitation fee. City employees will get a 1 percent cost of living allowance and $1 million is designated for paving city streets. The paving projects are possible through state funds and a sale tax referendum passed by voters in March 2009.
City Manager Janice Casteel said, “It’s going to be an exciting year to move from a maintenance mode into some real projects.”
Council members also approved the 2010 fiscal year budget amendment which shows the city’s income reduced in every category with the exception of Cleveland Utilities tax equivalent payments.
The original income for the year ending June 30 was set at $37.43 million. The amended budget was reduced $541,708 to $36.89 million. The proposed budget for next year is $35.010 million.
Most of the savings in the current budget came through staff vacancies in the police and fire departments. The four police officers were hired because of a federal grant. Reductions were realized by reorganization of the Parks and Recreation and Administration departments and retirements.
The following items were unanimously approved:
- Resolution 2010-71 authorizing an application to apply for 2010 Byrne Memorial for police equipment.
- Resolution 2010-72 supporting the development of a community partnership for Brownfield Planning and Redevelopment and authorize the development of a planning grant application for Brownfield and Redevelopment area planning in the urban core of Cleveland.
- Resolution 2010-74 setting a commitment to achieve an additional 10 percent energy reduction by June 30, 2013.
- Resolution 2010-75 authorizing a contract with Arnett, Kirksey, Kimsey, Sullivan and Lay to audit accounts of the city of Cleveland for the period July 1, 2009, through June 30.
- Resolution 2010-76 authorizing a contract for the Safe Routes to Schools construction of sidewalks from 15th Street to Blythe-Bower Elementary School.
- Appointment of Chris Jenkins to the Johnston Park Advisory Board with a term to expire June 2011.
- Motion designating depositories for the city of Cleveland.
- Street light recommendation to install five 100 watt high pressure sodium fixtures at Southern Heights Circle S.E.
