Agenda 11/10/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~HURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1998 154 generate more than the $1.1 million that they had estimated. Vice-Mayor Teague noted that all of the City's Meals Tax revenues would go to the school system, with $455,000 to go to annual debt for the Middle School renovation. Mayor Crabtree noted the steady growth of revenue related to travel and tourism activity, and that it was growing at a faster rate than property tax revenues. Vice-Mayor Teague commented that the audit report reflected good fiscal management practices by the Council and City staff, and good leadership from the City Manager, Mr. Earl Reynolds, Jr.. Mr. Bartlett then reviewed a report from the Commissioner of Revenue, stating that although property values in the City had only shown an increase of .017% this was positive when compared to the previous year's 11% decline. Council Member Haskell asked what impact the Auto Tax Repeal might have, and Mr. Bartlett stated the effect should be neutral if the State followed through on its reimbursement of these funds. Mayor Crabtree also noted the positive potential impact of the dollars retumed to taxpayers in terms of consumer spending. City Manager Reynolds then noted that the City had received $200,000 more in funding for the Uptown Rail Trail Project than the $80,000 already expected, and reviewed the elements of the project for Council's benefit. Some discussion then took place conceming this project. Council next heard a presentation on a proposal for an Enhanced Residential Refuse Collection Program, provided by Mr. Leon Towamicki, Director of Public Works. Mr. Towamicki noted that the discussion covered only residential collection, and did not include the separate issue of commercial collection services provided. He then went on to state the value of the residential service, saying that the monthly fee of $7.50 collected from residents for residential service did not cover the cost of the program. Council Member Haskell noted that this was also one of the most highly rated services by the residents in customer surveys of the past. Mr. Towamicki went on to state that the service costs had been kept very low through measures that were not typical of good management practices, citing the failure to replace capital equipment at appropriate times, use of inmate labor rather than paid staff, and inadequate numbers of staff for the task, especially during the Quarterly Pick-Up program. He went on to say that although the Quarterly Pick-Up