City staff advises Council to adopt the proposed FY2009 operational budget

The City Council on Tuesday heard from staff why it should adopt the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009.

Rolled into the process is the finalization of temporary appointments to several key positions in a reorganized city organizational structure City Manager Kevin Evans instituted in February.

Marty McDonald, for example, would no longer be the acting director of the newly created Department of Community Services. The same goes for Patrick Melvin, formerly Chief of Police, who is now serving as Director of Public Safety.

Evans said the intent was always to make those appointments permanent simultaneously with the passage of the city budget.

City staff first introduced the operational budget to the Council as a proposal in early May. The document eliminates 20 positions, recognizes a staff reduction of 6.5 FTEs in fiscal year 2008 and three new Public Works hires scheduled for fiscal year 2009. Facilities Management will also gain an employee.

Corrine E. Wilcox-Cornn, city budget manager, on Tuesday noted budget trends such as the city’s 10 percent increase in healthcare costs and its monthly average of issuing 100 building permits for single family homes. She committed to provide monthly updates to the Council on where its money is going.