The Lake Forest Park City Council made several changes to the mayor’s proposed 2004 budget before calling it their own.
At the Nov. 20 City Council meeting the Council decreased proposed funding for Third Place Commons from $20,000 to $10,000, eliminated a proposal for employee disability insurance and decreased a newly proposed permit technician position in the planning department to half time. The Council will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2004 budget Dec. 4 and is expected to adopt the budget by Dec. 11.
This year, the city provided $7,500 for The Commons, a community gathering place and stage located adjacent to Third Place Books in Towne Centre mall. Third Place Commons Executive Director Karen True said in 2004, the Commons needs more funding and asked the Council to support the mayor’s proposal for the city to provide $20,000.
Council member Ed Sterner said, “Compared to other requests, this is a massive increase. As the city heads into the tunnel of ever tightening budgets, I think the pain will be shared, and our funding of all organizations, including yours, is shrinking. I am a supporter of The Commons but you must look more to the citizens, corporate donations and grants.”
True said, “We are not just an organization, but a community center … We need that funding in the budget for my salary at $12 an hour, and for all the programs we provide — our programs mean a great deal to the community.”
The Commons held 385 events in its 2003 calendar, 296 of those events are on-going, she said.
Council member Mary Jane Goss asked if the Commons had considered charging a fee for social service organizations to come and hold events there.
True said “No. We don’t typically charge people for a community events for the community.”
Council member Dwight Thompson said the Commons should consider charging fees.
The Council also eliminated a proposal to provide disability insurance for city employees.
“The cost of benefits are increasing, until we stabilize this, it’s not timely to be opening up a new benefit,” said Council member Alan Keist.
City staff presented a spreadsheet that showed if no changes were made to the city’s benefits plans there would be a 22 percent increase, and if changes were made, which includes some cuts, and disability added, there would be a 14 percent increase.
The Council also voted to cut a newly proposed permit technician position in the planning department to half time.
Staff and some council members argued that the lengthy time it takes to get a permit and the workload in the planning department necessitates a full-time position. The position would be self-funded through fees, said Planning Director Ty Peterson.
“I have no doubt some policies Council has taken result in increased workload for permitting, and sometimes we have a staffing problem when there are vacations and it creates a real problem for our residents, I see the benefit of this,” said Council member Nate Herzog.
Others disagreed.
Council member Carolyn Armanini said, “I know of no other jurisdiction that is adding staff, and rarely does this city eliminate positions.”
A public hearing on the Council’s proposed 2004 budget is set for Dec. 4.
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