![\"2009](\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/t2009_Budget.jpg\")
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The Fort Wayne City Council meets tomorrow evening at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers. \u00c2\u00a0The agenda may be downloaded here.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0There are several items on the agenda in addition to the meeting providing the hopefully final budget hearing. \u00c2\u00a0The 2009 Fort Wayne Citilink Budget will also be discussed. Councilwoman Liz Brown has submitted her proposed cuts from the 2009 City Budget which total $7,805,973. \u00c2\u00a0Of this, however, she has proposed that all of the Retiree’s Health Insurance be eliminated which totals $2,207,250. \u00c2\u00a0When a City employee retires after 20 years, the City picks up their health insurance premiums. \u00c2\u00a0This was approved by the City Council previously. \u00c2\u00a0This cut probably will not materialize this year, however, look for a continued dialogue or further discussion down the road. \u00c2\u00a0This leaves $5,598,723 in cuts to be discussed. \u00c2\u00a0Her proposal includes cuts to dues, postage, furniture, consultation fees, supplies, legal fees as well as personnel cuts. \u00c2\u00a0It will be interesting to see if the council votes line by line or groups some acceptable cuts together and debates others.<\/p>\n City PIO Cut<\/strong><\/p>\n In it’s October 28th session<\/a>, the City Council voted to cut one of the Mayor’s Public Information Officers. \u00c2\u00a0This was the only personnel cut to date from the budget. \u00c2\u00a0The Council debated cutting it’s own part-time research assistant during the same session, but decided against. \u00c2\u00a0They Mayor’s office has made it pretty clear that they do not agree nor will they accept this cut without a fight. \u00c2\u00a0WANE-15<\/span> is reporting that Mayor Tom Henry would use his line-item veto to deny that cut from the budget. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n However, there has been some discussion over whether the Mayor has any veto power over a budget. \u00c2\u00a0Councilman Tom Smith has stated that the Mayor has no veto power over the budget in any shape or form. \u00c2\u00a0City Attorney Carol Taylor, feels that the Mayor does indeed have veto power over the budgets. \u00c2\u00a0Indiana Code states that, “The executive may approve or veto separate items of an ordinance appropriating money or levying a tax.” \u00c2\u00a0He also has 10 days after an ordinance is presented to him to take action. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n I do know of at least two council members who are willing to revisit the vote on this cut so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.<\/p>\n Fort Wayne Citilink Budget<\/strong><\/p>\n Also on the agenda is the 2009 Citilink Budget. \u00c2\u00a0Citilink is heavily unionized, so don’t expect to see any cuts in wages. \u00c2\u00a0The one item that is interesting is the General Management area which showed a 1.53% increase in wages. \u00c2\u00a0Will the City Council let this stand, or demand it be kept at the same level as 2008 due to the cutting of an increase in city workers wages? \u00c2\u00a0On page 4 of the budget, Service Supplies doubled from $18,090 to $37,280. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Tickets, Transfers Schedules only decreased by $2,000 and yet a substantial expense was eliminated when the free transfers were eliminated. \u00c2\u00a0For those who don’t know, it used to be when you boarded the bus, you were asked if you needed a transfer which enabled you to switch to another bus. \u00c2\u00a0If you answered yes, which a good portion of the riders did, a ticket was printed which enabled you to board your next bus without paying another fare. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n The last page, shows Dues and Subscriptions set at $33,932 which is actually down 9.64%. \u00c2\u00a0It would be interesting to see exactly what this amount makes up. \u00c2\u00a0Travel and meetings is set at $17,500 and advertising remains at $79,428. \u00c2\u00a0I personally think this amount is extremely high and don’t understand what the amount is for. \u00c2\u00a0Television ads? \u00c2\u00a0I can’t tell you the last time I saw a Citilink commercial, unless it was one of those clean air commercials, that personally I think are a waste of money. \u00c2\u00a0It would also be interesting to know why communications expense is so high at $16,200. \u00c2\u00a0Is this for equipment, or transmission services?There were quite a few reductions in the expenses, but bottom line was only an 8.06% reduction overall.<\/p>\n All in all, a fun filled evening should be in store for all who attend!<\/p>\n The Fort Wayne City Council meets tomorrow evening at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers. \u00c2\u00a0The agenda may be downloaded here.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0There are several items on the agenda in addition to the meeting providing the hopefully final budget hearing. \u00c2\u00a0The 2009 Fort Wayne Citilink Budget will also be discussed. Related Images:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[681,363,15,133,128,98,749],"class_list":{"0":"post-2000","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"hentry","6":"category-harrison-square-news","7":"tag-2009-city-of-fort-wayne-civil-city-budget","8":"tag-citilink","9":"tag-fort-wayne-city-council-2","10":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tom-smith","12":"tag-fort-wayne-mayor-tom-henry","13":"tag-public-information-officer"},"yoast_head":"\n
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\n Councilwoman Liz Brown’s proposed cuts<\/strong><\/p>\nRelated Images:<\/h3>
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