The time for crunching numbers and deciding how much money gets spent where is upon the Clarkston City Council again.
Two dates in June are set for the council to review and approve the 2006-07 budget. On June 6 at 6 p.m., the council is holding a special meeting to discuss the upcoming budget. On June 12 at 7 p.m., there is a public hearing at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting. Both meetings are at City Hall in Depot Park and are open to the public.
‘Basically, we decided to have that (first meeting) because council hasn’t seen the budget,? said Mayor Sharron Catallo. ‘I’d really like to see public comment at the public hearing (June 12). This (first) meeting is so we’re not presenting to the public and council at the same time.?
‘It’s a chance for the council to get together and approve (the budget). We want to get it out there so people can review it,? said Council Member Scott Meyland.
Up to this point, the Budget Committee ? consisting of Catallo, Meyland and Council Member Dan Colombo ? have met on a few occasions to create a draft budget.
‘There’s nothing very different than what’s come up before. There’s always more scrutiny. We looked at last year’s budget for where we might have over and under budgeted,? said Meyland, when asked about previous council discussions regarding issues like the library agreement and police department contracts with the township.
Council Member James Brueck, elected last November, concurred that the budget would probably not have any significant changes.
‘I’m always open-minded to explore other opportunities to save money, but I don’t anticipate any major policy or budget changes,? said Brueck.
Catallo said a few new things this year to be discussed include potential cost of living wage increases for DPW and police department employees (none were given last year), looking for a more cost effective bid for auditing and money for the continued updating of the master plan.