By Jim Smilie
The Alexandria City Council approved an Operating Budget and a Capital Budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year that begins May 1 during its regular meeting Tuesday night.
There was no public comment on the proposed budgets. During council debate on the motion, District 2 Councilman Gary Johnson asked about getting increased funding for projects in his district, particularly for the demolition of blighted property and for improved drainage.
Mayor Jacques Roy noted that the $350,000 currently budgeted for demolition work represents the typical number of projects the city can do in a year. However, Roy said, if they complete those projects and exhaust the funding they can add more money later as a budget amendment.
Regarding drainage, Roy said, “when we do drainage projects anywhere it helps all.” For example, Roy explained work done on a project in District 5 benefits residents in Districts 2, 3 and 4 because the drainage system flows through all four of those districts. And, as he mentioned with demolition funding, Roy said that if the budgeted drainage work is completed and there is capacity to do more work, funds could be added by budget amendment.
Specific budget items mentioned include $2.45 million budgeted for police cars and $1 million for work to renovate the Weiss & Goldring building. Regarding the money for police cars, Roy said public safety was one of the primary concerns expressed by citizens and that includes improving technology and the department’s rolling stock.
When the discussion ended, the council voted 6-1 in favor of the proposed budgets with District 3 Councilwoman Cynthia Perry voting against the motion. Perry declined to comment when asked after the meeting why she chose to vote against the proposed budgets.
In other business, the council authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to accept $4 million in Community Project Funding. The money will be used to build an additional 1-million-gallon above-ground water storage tank on property on La. Highway 1. Councilman Jim Villard noted the new tank would increase storage capacity and help prevent water pressure issues like the ones the city experienced in recent ice storms and hurricanes.
An ordinance was also introduced to accept the low bid for the replacement of the Bryn Mawr Bridge. That proposal will come up for final approval at the next council meeting, scheduled for May 2.