The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
City officials continue budget discussions
City looks at pool, buses, Council pays money
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
After a budget discussion Saturday, Ypsilanti city officials said the talk about cuts will have to get more specific at the next meeting on Jan. 26.
Advertisement
The meeting was the third in the discussion and covered the Rutherford Pool, funding for bus service and City Council compensation.
With less support from the city, the Friends of the Rutherford Pool have been able to keep the city-owned pool open. Public Works Director Bill Bohlen said the city still spends about $28,000 a year to keep the pool open. The group had discussed closing the pool for a couple years until more funding can be secured or until the friends group can sign a legal agreement with the city.
"We need to be realists about where we're going and what we're doing," Bohlen said.
In reference to the friends, Councilman Brian Filipiak, D-3rd Ward, said, "Even though their hearts are in it, these people have lives. Maybe it is time to talk about shuttering (the pool) for a year or two."
Bohlen said the pipes under the pool would be able to withstand closing for up to two years without any damage sustained.
The city has been funding half of the bus service agreement with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority for nearly two years. Several City Council members came out in favor of overturning that decision and funding the full amount.
"This is a different Council that made that decision," said Councilman Brian Robb, D-3rd Ward.
Mayor Paul Schreiber said he would be in favor of completely funding the AATA contract.
To fund bus service, the group had discussed a regional solution as well as a millage proposal. When Robb mentioned a millage, Schreiber asked if he would support that.
"You could easily craft something that is palatable," Robb said.
Schreiber said it would be important to have unanimous City Council support for a millage proposal if the city were to vote on it.
Councilman Bill Nickels, D-2nd Ward, said funding the full contract or passing a millage proposal would "keep the status quo" and not make any steps toward a regional solution by the county.
"Part of me wonders what would happen if we gave them nothing," said Planning Director Karen Hart.
City Council members earn $5,150 a year for their service to the city. Schreiber earns $9,000 a year as Ypsilanti Mayor.
Schreiber said the money should be paid to attract competent people to City Council.
"I think there should be some compensation for the people," he said.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
