Council OKs Increase in Budget Appropriation Limit

The Summit Common Council held a meeting last night. Plans to hold a hearing on the city's 2012 budget were postponed until April 17 due to the absence of City Administrator Chris Cotter and Councilwoman Nuris Portuondo.

Budget Appropriation Limits: Council approved by 5-1 an ordinance to exceed budget appropriation limits and establish a 3.5 percent CAP bank, or "rainy day fund" for the city. The increase would equal $1,035,424 for the next two years. Councilman Tom Getzendanner called it "self-indulgent" behavior, though others on council agreed the increase in the cap was necessary in the incidence of another catastrophe on par with the "Octo-snow" that tapped city budgets. "I cannot support this," said Getzendanner.

Broad Street Garage Repair: The nearly 12-year-old parking complex will be rehabilitated with a $500,00 capital bond ordinance. Council approved the ordinance 5-1 with Getzendanner dissenting. He said the council should consider a private company to take over the garage. A parking official thought revenue from the garage was around $200,000 a year.

In other news:

• Council approved the 2012 operating budget for Summit Downtown Inc. in the amount of $300,486, and increase of about $7,000 from last year. About $178,800 of the operating cost will be taken from property taxes paid by downtown landlords.
• SDI will increase its fees for the farmer's market. The group estimates it will bring in an extra $8,000 by using a new three-tier pricing system.
• Council awarded a bit in the amount of $547,547 for the Beechwood Road and Euclid Avenue improvement project.
• A bid for landscape services to take care of city and school fields was awarded in the amount of $50,044.
• Council approved 5-1 an emergency temporary appropriation in the $40, 576.
• Restoration of Energy Tax receipts was approved 5-1.

The next Common Council meeting is scheduled for April 17.