Expenditures

The primary theme for the FY 2006 Budget is: Taking Care of Infrastructure. This theme is directly linked to the strategic goals established by the Governing Body. Additional resources have been allocated to a number of infrastructure items as part of the budget, including:

• $900,000 for the pavement management program (from $2.1 million in 2005 to $3.0 million in 2006)

• $270,000 for street maintenance (1 road crew of 5 positions)

• $154,000 for maintenance of parks and medians

• $538,000 for maintenance of stormwater infrastructure (1 crew of 7 positions)

The budget continues the City’s emphasis on public safety by funding a number of requested alternatives, including:

• The reallocation of $134,000 for additional staffing of the Police Patrol Division to address service demands (2 District Officers)

• $70,000 to continue the safe schools initiative (1 School Resource Officer for the opening of the St. James Academy)

• $50,000 for the purchase of Fire Department mobile data units (5 units) to improve connectivity and interoperability countywide

Overall, the budget includes funding for 26 new positions for various departments to maintain service levels.

A $650,000 compensation reserve will be utilized to adjust pay ranges as necessary to remain competitive with the organizations with which the City competes for talent. This reserve will also fund performance-based employee pay increases. Pay range adjustments and the merit pay range will be determined later in 2005.

The cost of providing existing employees with health insurance is projected to remain unchanged in 2006 due to improved health insurance claims experience in 2004 and 2005.