Story Published:
Oct 3, 2008 at 9:10 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 7, 2008 at 2:18 PM EST
Mayor Autry was very pleased to announce today that the City of Fresno has discovered an extra $4.6 million dollars.
Its money that will primarily go toward bolstering public safety and neighborhood renovation projects.
Alan Autry, Mayor of Fresno: “Let's prepare for the future, let's prepare for the hard times and let's be ready."
Despite tough economic times, the City of Fresno has found itself with a 4.6 million dollar budget surplus.
Autry: "It’s a day to feel good to be a Fresnan and that there's some good news here in the midst of all the bad news that's out there and it's a big thing for the people of Fresno, but it again is a testament to the team here at city hall."
Today, Mayor Alan Autry laid out his recommendations for how this extra money should be divvied up.
He says 1.1 million dollars will go to neighborhood renovation projects throughout the city, specifically to fix streets, sidewalks, and gutter improvements in areas that have been left behind by the "no neighborhoods left behind act."
But Autry said today that public safety is his number one priority, adding that 1.6 million dollars of this surplus would be reserved in anticipation of a universal law enforcement hiring program that may be needed next year.
The mayor also says an additional $350,000 will go toward a recruitment and retention program for Fresno police officers.
In addition, the mayor says because the state budget reduced booking fees to the county, the cost to the city was $220,000.
That money will also be recovered with this one-time carryover.
Renena Smith, Fresno City Budget Director: "Its not about silo, it's not about me first anymore, its about what is in the best interest of the city as a whole."
Mayor Autry says he'll take his recommendations in front of the Fresno City Council on Tuesday.
For Preston Phillips’ full story, click on the video link above.
Sunday, Oct 5 at 9:31 PM caliguy wrote ...
Hopefully the city will spend it on useful things before the state comes in and seizes it.