Dear Friends,At last night’s City Council meeting, I delivered the administration’s proposed city budget for 2019.The draft budget includes no increase to the municipal tax rate. A savings of more than $2 million on retirement health care benefits, an increase to our tax base of $133 million in new ratables, and a $280,000 increase in revenues from 2018 helped offset the costs of our ongoing mission to improve roads, drainage and infrastructure.I want to thank my senior staff and the entire city team for working on behalf of all taxpayers to deliver this responsible budget.The mayor’s proposed budget and my State of the City address from last night are both available online for everybody to see. This is the first step in the budget process. Finance Director Frank Donato will make a presentation on budgeted revenues and expenses, and City Council will formally “introduce” the budget at the March 14 meeting. Council will then work on potential revisions until a final public hearing and vote in April.
All planned infrastructure improvements for the next five years were outlined in a capital plan presentation given to City Council last night. Every year, I remind people that this document is a “plan.” Every item must be approved and funded separately before any work can be done. We will be able to change whenever an important need or a great opportunity arises. But the capital plan is an important tool that helps us create a responsible schedule for financing all of the work we will complete.We’re starting to see the results of our efforts. Pumping stations are helping to drain streets. The back bays and lagoons are once again deep enough for boating, paddling and swimming. The beach and boardwalk are in good shape. City facilities are being maintained and updated. Open space is being preserved. New amenities are being added.I’m looking forward to seeing the mission through in the coming years. Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
