Tonights Maumelle budget meeting went in the right direction, but there is still work to be done. Currently were at -245,000 on our budget (not quite where I want to be, but were moving in the right direction.) I am going to continue to push that we reach a balanced budget from the outset. We have some overlooked and unforeseen items that can be addressed if we balance our budget from the outset: 1. Unfunded pension liabilities for elected officials (based on outside consultants Maumelle should have $400,000 set aside -- currently we have $0. 2. Based on the events of 2014, Maumelle continues to have drainage needs that will most certainly be addressed. We must prepare for a rainy day and prioritize drainage projects without over using reserves. 3. Improvements to the animal shelter -- the shelter stays at max capacity and employees are sharing their break room with animals in cages. This is not acceptable. 4. Street improvements -- possible roundabout for Club Manor/Odom, driveway extension for Pine Forrest Elem to access the Blvd. Extension of Carnahan Drive across the White Oak Bayou. These improvements could come out of the street fund which has a 3,000,000+ reserve. 5. Acceptance of the deed for the alleyways in Garden Oaks and establishment of an urban improvement district. This should be a priority and works in conjunction with adding our city fees to the water bill. The city can help establish an urban improvement district where residents can put some money toward improving the alleyways as part of their water bill. At some point the city needs to accept the reality that these alleyways are not private driveways (they make up .5 miles of roads and affect approx 80 homes directly).
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 03:02:00 +0000
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