In February, it was the operating budget, now the capital budget is taking center stage at Cleveland City Hall - how the Mayor's office plans to make $445 million dollars in upgrades over the next five years - through a project dubbed "Rebuilding Cleveland".
Chief of Staff Ken Silliman told city council members that with Cleveland's income tax bases far smaller than even one year ago - some hoped-for projects are delayed to 2011 - or beyond.
Silliman says the city's bond capacity accounted for $43 million in improvements a year ago, but will allow just $25 million this year. And - nearly $10 million of 'that's already being set aside for an enhanced radio system for city safety forces and communications.
So city council was told - we're doing the best we can.
KEN SILLIMAN:
"And we have tried to be faithful to the projections that we were showing on when we would invest in a key capital projects in one of your wards. So for those key recreation projects that were coming up in 2010, we tried to keep them in the plans."
Deciding which to keep was sometimes determined by what projects are 'shovel ready', or which improvements will bring a neighborhood economic opportunities.
City council will weigh the planned budget and make adjustments, and hopes to accept a package before its Spring recess.
Rick Jackson, 90.3
