The Reno City Council held a preliminary budget workshop yesterday to discuss strategic investment recommendations for fiscal year 2015.
Several factors combined have led to a $10.9 million surplus in the general budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which means the funds can be allocated to a variety of different projects, some of which will be discussed at the April 29 city council meeting.
“Fiscal stability is a top priority for the City Council,” Reno City Manager Andrew Clinger says. “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.”
Specifics of the 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) in the amount of $1 million. The Virginia Lake Water Quality Project could see a boost in funding of $500,000, and $500,000 could go to toward various pedestrian safety projects, including bicycle safety measures.
There’s also discussion about upgrades for the infamous Reno Arch that will require public input should that funding be approved. More meetings are planned for late April and early May to make more of these decisions.
