Minutes 04/10/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 10, 1979 Contjn.gency and the $200,000 Emergency Budget Contingency combined represent an emergDncy fund of 3.5 percent for an cpevating fund of $62.9 million. The recommended level of funding for the School System is $27,424,000 which represents a 7.6 percent increase in the total School budget over the preceding year. This level of funding will require the local cost of education to rise by 8.6 percent, or $830,160 (whereas State funding will increase only 3.9 percent or $429,705). The total local funding for education (not counting sales tax refunded) will go to $10,447,177, based on the budget recommendation. (6) Approximately the same level of General Revenue Sharing is included in the operating budget recommended for 1979-80, as was included in the current year's budget. Very noteworthy, however, is the fact that nearly $600,000 of Federal funding was removed from the annual operating budgets due to the termination df the Anti-Recession Fiscal Assistance Program. Had these Special Revenue Sharing funds not been lost, it would have been possible for me to recommend the present operating budgets with a reduction of nearly $600,000 in the utilization of General Revenue Sharing funds. In last year's budget message, and on numerous other occasions, I have noted and discussed with you the gradual proportionate erosion of State funding. The City of Portsmouth has expended many e~orts to persuade the General Assembly to curtail the diminishing funding for Jhared p~ograms and to fund in full the cost of State mandates which are imposed on local governments. We have made numerous written and oral presentatzons to State legislative groups. Also, our locally elected members of the General Assembly have provided key leadership in pressing the General Assembly to recognize the State's responsibility for the funding of such prograFs; and they are to be commended for their efforts in these endeavors. It now appears that the General Assembly is becoming-more responsive to the financial needs of local governments, and several very significant actions took place during the last session of the General Assembly. Increased highway funding and a more favorable schedule for the distribu- tion of A.B.C. profits were passed. Far more important, House Bill 599 was passed, which will bring to the City of Portsmouth next year approximately $2.5 million additional State funding -- contingent on the availability of State funds. These actions represent the most significant break-through for local governments which has taken place on the State level in many, many years. The good news of the recent State legislation is tempered by the knowledge that the cur- rent Federal program of General Revenue Sharing will expire September 30, 1980. The non- renewal of Anti-Recession Fiscal Assistance funding this year highlights the uncertainty associated with both Federal and State funding. Unquestionably, our own economzc base will continue to be the prime determinant of the financial well-being of the City of Ports- mouth, and its citizens. Therefore, under the guidance and leadership of the City Council, the administration will continue to work diligently in its efforts to improve the tax base of the City. The recommended operating budgets represent our best efforts to provide a level of serv]zes which is consistant with the needs of the citizens of Portsmouth and their ability to pay for such services. The recommended operating budgets are submitted for your approval on firs reading." On motian of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Gray, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: 'JAN OKDI~ANCE TO APPRCPRIATE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR OPERATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT FOR ANE DMRING THE FISCAL YEAR B~GINNING JULY 1, 1979 AND ENDING JUNE 30,~1980." 79-i2~0- "Consideration of a motion to transfer $140,050 from the Grants Contingency Account to continue oFeration of the Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention ~r~Bram. This motion will provide the funds needed to continue operation of the Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Program administered by the Portsmouth Health Department. The project will screen some 2,100 children, ages 1-5, for undue lead absorption, provide diagnosis and referral for medical care, determine the environmental cause of the poisoning and assist abatement of the hazard, and offer health education to parents of affected children as well as the public at large. Funded by the Public Health Service, the project is supported by $137,550 in federal funds, $2,500 in local match, and $13,899 in local in-kind. The City Manager recommends .a~option of this motion." Motion of Mr. Gray and s~conded~by Mr. Early, that authorization be granted to transfer S140,050 from t~.Grants Contingency Acco~%, as requested, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 79-121 "Consideration of a mot£o.n~to ~ransfer $13,621 from the Grants Contingency Acc~ to continue operation of the Institutional Probation Officer by the Portsmouth City Jail. This motion will provide the funds necessary to continue for a second year operation of the Institutional Brobation Officer w~ose duties are ~o gather background information on offenders in order to verify booking data and to determine eligibility for supervised pre-trial release, reduced bail, or release on recognizance. By improved selection of misdemeanants for eligible pre-trial release programs, the jail population will be reduced. Funded through the Division of Justice ~ Crime Prevention, the match ratio is 90% federal, 5% state, and 5% local. The City Manager recommends adoptzon of this motion. Motion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mr. Barnes, that authorization be granted to trans- fer $13,621 from the Grants Contingency Account, as requested, and was adopted by unanimous vote. ~nt