Meeting Roundup: March 28

Greenbelt’s city council gathered Monday night for a meeting that stretched more than two hours.

City Manager Michael McLaughlin occupied a fair share of that time, presenting the council with a fiscal 2012 budget that seemed to win over much of his audience.  “I don’t know how you did it,” said Councilwoman Leta Mach. “…This is a really good proposal to start with.”

Mayor Judith Davis, who said for weeks she had been dreading the looming proposal, also expressed relief. “It’s something that we can work with,” she said.

McLaughlin’s budget, which will next undergo nine city-council work sessions stretching into May, anticipates $25,723,800 in revenues.  That’s about 1.8 percent more than the current fiscal 2011 year. City expenditures, meanwhile, represent a 2.1 percent uptick in spending over this year, at $25,392,200.  

McLaughlin, who called this year’s tough economic climes “déjà vu all over again,” emphasized four key areas within the proposed budget. One of those included refinancing $400,000 in existing debt, which drew some fire from Councilman Rodney Roberts, who called the move to gain more short-term borrowing power in exchange for longer-term debt a “flaw in the budget.” 

Another potential source of friction may be found through health insurance premiums. Currently, government employees cover 15 percent. Under McLaughlin’s proposal, that would change to 20 percent. 

On a brighter note, McLaughlin said the budget would avoid both layoffs and furloughs. He also proposed restoring the city’s fund balance, partially sapped in 2010, to 10 percent. 

Among other revenue generators, McLaughlin’s budget would raise residential inspection fees from $100 to $110, saving the city $46,000. Another $84,000 would come from bumping up business inspection fees from $125 to $285. McLaughlin also proposed installing one or more speed cameras in the city. While the cameras could net as much as $200,000 initially, those revenues would likely drop off rapidly as more and more drivers comply with the speed limit, according to McLaughlin.

The budget also includes $1.9 million in capital improvement projects, ranging from the resurfacing of Mandan and Research Roads to upgrading a few playgrounds in the city.

As the evening wore on, the council discussed requiring selling agents of foreclosed homes to provide written notice to the city within five days of any foreclosure. This could, according to City Solicitor Robert Manzi, improve the city’s ability to track down and hold mortgage owners accountable for maintaining the foreclosed properties.

With Roberts and Mayor pro-tem Emmett Jordan dissenting, the council also approved the purchase of a $28,800 hybrid SUV for Greenbelt’s recreation department. The vehicle would replace two cars—a 1999 Ford Taurus and 1998 passenger van—currently in operation.

The council also voted in favor of several bills, including one that would establish a task force aimed at identifying areas ripe for underground utility lines, and another that would prohibit wireless communication towers from being stationed on school property. All seemed to agree that the towers may pose health risks to children, and would also produce unecessary eyesores on public land.

Check out more information concerning this meeting and the city manager’s preliminary budget.