Two Years Short of Five Year Plan.

The Budget/Ways and Means Committee will meet tonight for the last scheduled meeting before the hearings for FY1999/2000. City Administrator Tom Short say he hopes the Committee will finalize their efforts to propose a five year capital improvement plan that can be incorporated into the new budget.

The Committee ended its last meeting after trimming approximately $20 million in proposed projects to approximately $10 million. About $4 million of those projects are hoped to be funded by various grants and will likely not be completed if the grants are not available. The two main projects in this category are the Memorial Hall renovations and the improvements to the Municipal Golf Course.

Projections by Short show that City will not have funds for the projects outlined after the second year or third year, depending on the level of reserve. A current ordinance requires that the reserve equal at least 33% of the annual operating budget. By reducing this requirement to 20%, it would be possible to fund the first three years if revenue projections remain accurate.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Don’t shoot the messenger! The Budget Committee has spent a lot a time lookin’ at the various projects proposed as needed by the various Department Heads. The fact that there isn’t enough money to do all the improvements isn’t suprisin’. That doesn’t mean that some of the projects aren’t worthwhile or that the City is in any type of financial difficulties. Other than the annual lease payments on the Police Station, there aren’t any major City obligations. Now that the Committee has identified some of what they feel are the most advantageous projects, that list may need to be pruned more, or other forms of revenue (taxes) found.

Knowin’ what is wanted begins the process of figurin’ out how to pay for it. The fun part is just beginnin’.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Workman's Loan

The Super Handyman

Magazines are great references for projects, recipes and lots of other information. But they are also sort of like rabbits-they seem to multiply and, before long, they are out of control. One way to get a handle on your collection is with organizers.

You can buy magazine organizers or make your own. To build your own, all you need is a rectagular box, such as a cereal box, a little larger than the size of the magazines.

Use a utility knife to cut off the box's top. Then cut across one of the narrow sides, about one-third of the way up from the bottom.

From the two corners of that slit, cut diagonally up to the top of the box at the other side.

That makes a neat pocket in which you can store magazines. It helps that you can see the magazines' bindings to locate the one you need.

You could even make it fancy by painting or covering it with wrapping paper or wallpaper.

Super Hint- Instead of mowing over your lawn sprinkler heads or trying to edge around them, use a tin can. Empty the can, and clean it out. Place it, open-side down, over the sprinkler head and push down. The can will cut right through the grass.

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