Maureen asks a good question in another thread: Why is the budget split with the schools now 58%, I thought it was 56%?  It’s a simple question but it’s a bit complicated to answer:

When I was first elected the split with the schools was indeed 56%.  That 56% applies to what are called “General Fund Revenues”.  The General Fund pays for most of the ordinary stuff the government does.  It is funded primarily by the property tax, business activity taxes, Machinery & Tools and some others.  At that point, we paid for all of our Firefighting costs out of the General Fund.

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So, Markup is tonight.  This is the final meeting before the Council’s budget is presented.  After this, I should be able to get my lilfe back.  It’s been crazy.  I’ll update tonight or tomorrow with the long and short of what happened.

UPDATE:  I’m pretty cooked but we came up with a budget that allows for the proposed (modest) staff raises, adds some medics for the Rescue Squad and adds 4 police officers.  Those police officers will be ready in time for next summer when we’re ready to start doing foot patrols elsewhere in the City.  It also brings the number of police up to the same number as before the economy went to hell.  Residential tax bills will go up slightly, overall tax bills will go down.  I’ll post an update tomorrow with some details about dollar amounts but I believe they are very modest.  The proposed $1,000 bonuses died as did the org study.  We also shaved down the money proposed for the School initiatives.  We’re also paving more streets and repairing more sidewalks.

On a seperate note, I would like to thank all the folks who showed up tonight.  It was good to see some citizens there!

Also, I don’t like Justin Bieber.