Board of Aldermen 09-22-2020 Page 41
Mayor Donchess
One thing you asked about was the retirement problem.
Alderwoman Lu
Yes.
Mayor Donchess
Using one-time money, which is what this is, doesn’t really solve that problem, because it sort of diminishes
the problem for one year, but then the next year your problem is sort of greater because you don’t have this
one-time money to replace. In other words our Budget is going up $5 million but $4 million because of this
change that was made or $4.something. You know, you use a few hundred thousand against that $4
million in year one but you don’ have that money in year two, so now you get hit in year two. So we could
say we are never going to another capital project. But | think we need to try to balance the need for City-
betterment projects with the ability to pay. | love the Riverfront, don’t get me wrong, but love the park that
is proposed for and has been designed for the Library Plaza. | think that would be a tremendous addition to
the City. But it costs a lot more than this $400,000.00, we don’t have the money. So even though | would
love to do that project, | did not propose the expenditure of any money towards that.
One factor in that judgement is that we can complete this lighting with the money that you see here. And
so you kind of balance how much good will do versus how much can we afford? | mean the park would be
great but it’s a lot more expensive than this and we simply don’t have the money. | think we can squeeze
this money out and do the lighting project. So it will be a big improvement and one-time money towards an
annual, year after year after year increase like wnat the State has imposed on us. It helps us a little in year
one but in year two it’s not there, so in the end we really haven't solved the problem. In the end the
taxpayers are going to have pay for it, year after year after year unfortunately.
Alderwoman Lu
OK thank you. | have a few other questions on the non-like and like escrows. |am basing these questions
basically on you know, why don’t we save the money for a rainy day. But $50,000.00 seems like a lot to get
a plan for the dog park. | am having a hard time understanding why our staff can’t come up — | don’t
understand why that in this year why we would do that. But also, | am confused by the operating expenses
being in here, because | thought operating expenses were fully paid for in the 21 Budget. Those are
operating expenses.
Mayor Donchess
| could address those two if you wish.
Alderwoman LU
OK, thank you.
Mayor Donchess
Alright so the dog park we have a group of passionate citizens who really want and have worked hard to
establish the dog park in the downtown area. And | get the point of view that that might not seem like a
necessity. Buthere’s why, if we are going to do it, this money would be necessary. The parcel that has
been located is at the entrance to Mine Falls Park which is right next to the Nimco Building. | think you are
probably familiar with that building. And between that— so you walk down the hill and into the park, but as
you do that, to your left, as you get to the bottom of the hill, before you actually enterthe park there’s a
