City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, April 14, 2015) – Mayor Lovely Warren is providing an unprecedented variety of options for residents to participate in the City’s 2015-16 budget process. The City will accept citizen input via an online survey, a facilitated work session at City Hall and a telephone town hall conference.
“The City is dealing with a $34.8 million budget gap and this is an opportunity for people to learn about what is actually in the budget and to let us know how they feel about our programs and services,” said Mayor Warren. “We have made excellent progress in our first year despite substantial financial strain. We obtained additional State aid, attracted public and private investment and re-organized our Police Department, so I am eager to continue working hard to create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better schools for all of our residents in the next year.”
In addition to providing information about this year’s budget at these forums, Mayor Warren and City Budget Director Chris Wagner are seeking opinions on a wide variety of City initiatives. Topics include jobs and business development programs, to public safety issues such as police body cameras and fire safety programs, and neighborhood issues such as special events, recreation, library and literacy programs.
The City’s funding level is challenged to maintain its current level of service. Expenses driving the budget gap include capital investment needs, employee pension and health care costs. Revenue sources such as property tax, sales tax and state aid are constricted. Citizen input will help the Mayor make the difficult decisions that are necessary to complete a balanced budget proposal. The 2015-16 fiscal year proposal will be submitted to City Council on May 15.
“We need to strike a balance between responsible budgeting and maintaining essential programs and services,” said Mayor Warren. “People love to enjoy the Public Market, our libraries and recreation centers, City parks and the many special events that take place throughout the year. Residents directly benefit from all of our programs and services including Animal Services, Neighborhood Service Centers, vacant property demolition programs, Clean Sweep and the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. I want to hear what their priorities are.”
The community input session will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 21 at City Hall, 30 Church St. (Refreshments will be served.) The online survey will be available at www.cityofrochester.gov/budget from April 22 to April 27. The telephone town hall conference will take place shortly after the community input session.
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News Media: For more information, contact Patrick Flanigan at 428-7135.