City Council approves budget for 2008
After a few last-minute touch-ups, City Council gave final approval to a 2008 budget of $423.7 million yesterday.
In a last-minute move, council approved an amendment creating a $10,000 trust fund for the city's Ethics Hearing Board. The board can draw on the money for legal assistance and other expenses.
Councilman William Peduto had proposed last week that the board be teamed up with the Citizens Police Review Board, but that drew skepticism from some of his colleagues, leading to the creation of the trust fund. Mr. Peduto voted yes on the change yesterday.
The budget also was amended to move $1.83 million out of equipment line items to the Equipment Leasing Authority to buy new police vehicles. The move came after Police Chief Nate Harper and Fraternal Order of Police President James Malloy complained about the lack of reliable cruisers. The bureau has about 200 functional vehicles, but estimates that it needs 313.
While next year's budget will be balanced, with the city seemingly flush with cash, Mr. Peduto warned of danger down the road. He said the city could be facing deficits of $20 million to $30 million by 2012 because of crushing pension and debt obligations.
First Published: December 18, 2007, 5:00 a.m.