Mayor Jim Gray on Tuesday unveiled his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, with few surprises as the focus continues to be aimed at increasing public safety, economic growth and quality of life, including $7 million in support for a proposed sports complex.
Gray said his budget is built on the projections of an operating revenue of $345 million in 2017.
“First, as always, public safety dominates the General Fund budget, 54 percent,” he said, calling it “an essential building block for our city.”
Gray said that would include 20 new police officers, bring the total force to 600, which he said -- twice for emphasis -- is “the highest it has ever been.” His plan also allocates $600,000 pay for and maintain body cameras.
Fire safety is also a focus, with $5 million allocated for vehicles and station repairs, plus $5.2 million for a new station in Masterson Station.
“This is our 24th station and the first increase in fire stations since 2005,” he noted.
Gray’s budget also aims to boost recreation opportunities.
“Today I am announcing support for a 130-acre youth sports complex in Cardinal Run North,” he said.
The proposed $25 million complex would receive $7 million under Gray’s budget.
“This complex would support regional competition,” Gray said. “And it already has widespread support in our community.”
The budget also includes $3 million for aquatics, with plans for “spraygrounds” at Castlewood, Douglass and Masterson Station. It also includes $400,000 to fund designs for an aquatics center at Shillito Park.
Among the other provisions Gray outlined:
_$7 million for road paving.
_ $2.75 million for affordable housing and “homelessness prevention.”
_ $1.8 million to build sidewalks along Southland Drive, plus $500,000 to fill gaps in other areas.
_$1.5 million for a salt storage facility.
_ $1.25 million for computers and network costs.
_ $1.25 million for the Jobs Fund, which helps boost employment.
_ $1.1 million for LexCall, which connects citizens with services.
_$2 million for the Purchase of Development Rights program, which protects farmland.
_$500,000 for sidewalk improvements on Fourth Street near the Legacy Trail, plus $150,000 for trail maintenance.
_$394,000 for mowing of greenways.
_ $934,000 for traffic signal upgrades.
_$250,000 for pedestrian safety projects.