HIGHLIGHTS
- Mayor Pro Tem Melton was absent and excused.
- Approved operating and capital improvement budgets by a vote of 5 to 2 with Councilors Black and Jones voting against.
A. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
B. AGENDA
1. Proposed Budget Documents
- The proposed operating and capital budget documents are available online from the Budget and Management Services
2. FY2025 Budget – Follow-up for City Council
- In response to Councilor Harrison’s previous question, staff presented more details about an Alternative Response Program
- Councilor Harrison suggests forming an advisory taskforce of interested community members and emphasizes how more partners are needed
- A public dashboard will be made available, probably by the Fall
- Councilor Black asked for comparisons with a similar service in Durham and raised concerns about trust with the community
3. FY2025 Operating and Capital Improvement Ordinances
- Council Harrison moved that Hillsborough Street MSD tax increase be reduced from 15 cents to 13 cents which would prevent them from doing some new activities but not impact current operations. Unanimously approved.
- Councilor Jones asked for clarity about R line which is currently fare-free. Raleigh Transit Authority has recommended implementing fares on R line. Councilor Branch is fine with fares. Mayor Baldwin asked whether ridership warrants continuing the R line. Approved adding fares by 6 to 1 with Councilor Black voting against.
- Councilor Jones also asked for clarity on salary increases.
- Approved budget changes as a result of Downtown MSD expansion, Hillsborough Street MSD tax increase, and Blue Ridge MSD creation; Blue Ridge MSD scheduled to be approved at June 18 Council meeting.
- Councilor Harrison asked for an update about benchmarking tax rate raises and figuring out how to ensure that our tax rates are stable over time.
- Councilor Branch asked for data on causes of rate increases.
- Councilor Patton asked about predictability and steady state budget planning.
- Approved operating and capital improvement budgets by a vote of 5 to 2 with Councilors Black and Jones voting against.