The Mayor's 2015 Proposed Budget

The Mayor presented his proposed budget on Tuesday, April 8th.  You may find a copy of the budget address and the proposed budget here, you can watch the budget address here, and you can read an article about it here.

The highlights include a $40 million bond issue for Rupp Arena, $8 million to build the Senior Citizens Center, $2.6 million for software and basic technology upgrades, $2.9 million to implement the compensation study recommendations for reducing pay differentials for emloyees, $2.5 million in social services partner agency funding, $ 3.5 million for capital improvements in the Fire Department, $300,000 for playgrounds, $235,000 for a cultural arts center at the Carver Community Center, $150,000 for improvements to Shillito Park, $100,000 for the renovation of the Kentucky Theatre, a 2% raise for the non-union employees, funding for 35 new positions in Public Safety and 2 recruit classes in both Police and Fire.  It does not include any tax increases.

The Council will now split into five groups, each with the responsibility to review a certain section of the budget as presented.  I am part of the group that is responsible for reviewing the Environmental Quality and Public Works section of the budget.  The Council also reviews the revenue projections and the debt & capital projects in the budget.  These groups will report to the full Council on May 27. The first reading of the budget is scheduled to take place on June 17 with the final reading and adoption of the budget on June 19.