In his presentation, Adkins said the 2019 budget is “flat” as it is nearly $118,000 less than the 2018 general fund budget of more than $31.7 million.
The non-public safety budget includes $2.3 million for local paving projects in 2019 and an additional $375,000 for smaller road projects to be completed by city crews.
In addition, funding is being allocated for a number of projects, including:
• $75,000 for additional Interstate 75 gateway enhancements
• $200,000 for the improvements to the city building’s north promenade
• $200,000 for the design work to rehab the University Boulevard bridge
• 2 percent cost-of-living raise for all employees
• implementing an online tax filing option for 2019
• increasing security in and around the city building
• development of a Parks Master Plan
• replacement of older LED traffic signals
• completion of a housing study and transportation plan as part of the city’s master plan
• continued response to the heroin epidemic
Also in 2019, residents will not see any increases in their water rates, solid waste and stormwater fees. However, there will be a 10 percent sewer rate increase as scheduled to address the federally-mandated Long Term Control Plan.
In the presentation, Adkins identified the following streets to be repaved in 2019 that will be funded through state public works and federal community development block grants, local capital improvement funding and assessments. Those streets include:
• Lafayette Avenue between Yankee Road and Verity Parkway
• Shafor/Nelbar Street between University Boulevard and Verity Parkway
• Euclid Street between Central and Grand avenues
• Terhune Drive
• Wilbraham Road between Germantown Road and Carmody Boulevard
As part of the Sunset Park Green Infrastructure Project, the city will be using $100,000 from the city sewer fund to pave Sheldon Road between Kenwood and Santa Fe drives
Adkins said the non-public safety budget for 2019 is 2.7 percent less from the 2018 budget of $9.4 million.
Part of that reduction is due in part to the transfer of code enforcement personnel salaries, about $335,037, to the Division of Police from Community Development. Adkins said the transfer of personnel was made to consolidate code and nuisance abatement functions into one department. Also, non-public safety personnel cuts will be down $314,149 or 6.1 percent in 2019.
In addition, for 2019, a new administrative services department will be created to oversee the law, human resources and community revitalization divisions under acting director Susan Cohen. A staff attorney, Cohen took over the Community Revitalization Department following the departure of former director Kyle Fuchs in late July.
The city’s Health Department will be seeing an 8.5 percent increase to $595,338 in 2019, up from $539,530 in 2018 due to changes in state law that require the addition of one employee to meet new reporting and work requirements.
In addition, the Municipal Court will also see a slight 1.4 percent increase to more than $1.81 million in 2019, which will be up from $1.78 million.
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