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October 30,2002 <br /> agreements.In fact,we have taken the opportunity and have made the <br /> difficult decision to eliminate nine positions through attrition.The areas <br /> that will increase include: <br /> • 2003 negotiated labor contracts with Cost-of-Living Adjustment <br /> (COLA)provisions <br /> • Employee medical benefits <br /> • Maintenance contracts with Consumer Price Index escalators <br /> • Jell and central-dispatching agreements with cost-of-service <br /> requirements <br /> • Options for meeting our continuing and increasing demands for <br /> a police evidence room and Emergency Operations Center <br /> • Reserve funds for the Special Events Center and the second <br /> floor meeting space. <br /> We do need to fund these necessary expenses.For the future, <br /> however,kis necessary not only to decrease new labor costs by reducing <br /> full-time employees through attrition,but to decrease departmental <br /> maintenance and operating expenses.Additionally,no new capital funding <br /> contributions are proposed.Public Safety will remain the City's top priority. <br /> In spite of our financial challenges,this budget maintains the Citys long- <br /> standing commitment to Police,Fire,and Emergency Medical Services. <br /> On this same day exactly one year ago,the Administration <br /> prese <br /> et to <br /> Council <br /> been <br /> loped prior to <br /> September 11.By the timet reached that <br /> C Council,the the Mayorecommended, <br /> and Council subsequently approved,an amendment to reduce the general <br /> fund revenue forecast and expenditure appropriation by$2.8 million.That <br /> was an Important move on the pad of Administration and Council because <br /> in light of the September terrorist attacks,reduced revenues area reality. <br /> Our 2002 amended expenditure budget eliminated the Capital <br /> Improvement Program 4 contribution and froze new employee positions <br /> along with maintenance end operations allocations.Unfortunately,this <br /> trend now appears to represent a long-tern shift,rather than a temporary <br /> shock to the Citys revenue base.And we must face that reality. <br /> Lars tum now to some of the issues that played an Important role <br /> in shaping the uevelopment of this budget. <br /> 357 <br />