In a preliminary budget workshop held yesterday at City Hall, Reno City Council discussed staff investment possibilities about the 2015 fiscal year City budget.
Due to the general improvement of the local economy, and organizational savings, the City has an additional $10.9 million in its general fund.
Plans on spending the funds will be determined at the April 29, 2015 City Council meeting.
Staff investment recommendations are outlined in a presentation (refer to the FY15 One-Time Strategic Investments chart).
“Fiscal stability is a top priority for the City Council,” said City Manager Andrew Clinger. “The recommendations brought forth by City staff yesterday go toward addressing the critical needs of the city. These include further reducing debt, funding important public and pedestrian safety needs, tackling deferred maintenance issues, making improvements to City Hall and the adjoining Cal-Neva parking garage and continuing to foster a clean and vibrant downtown for residents and visitors.”
Recommendations include a Fire Apparatus Bond Payoff ($2.3 million), Cal-Neva parking garage upgrades ($1.4 million) and a blight mitigation fund (including graffiti abatement) for $1 million.
The Virginia Lake Water Quality Project could see a boost in funding of $500,000, and $500,000 could go to toward pedestrian safety projects, including bicycle safety measures.
There is $200,000 for Reno Arch lighting. This is to update the bulbs in the Arch, so that City staff can comply with many requests to change the color of the bulbs in a more cost-effective and technologically friendly manner.
Any potential physical or aesthetic changes to the arch is a separate matter that would require public input, according to the City.
SOURCE: City of Reno.
