Fort Wayne City Council has approved next year's budget—but not without cutting more than three million dollars and some positions.
But city employees will get a small raise.
City Council looked at about two dozen possible cuts at Tuesday’s meeting. In the end, they approved six of them:
- Hydrant Rental (Public Works): -$2,945,160
- 311 Manager (Mayor's office--not currently filled): -$76,444
- Business & Legislative Liaison (Mayor's office--currently filled): -$67,652
- Legal Services (Redevelopment): -$5,000
- Elected Official Pay Raise (Mayor, Clerk, Council): -$4,649
- Travel (City Clerk): -$2,500
In total, Council voted to cut $3,101,405 from the 2011 budget.
The mayor's office claimed a victory with Council approving a one percent pay raise for all city employees except elected officials. It passed narrowly, five to four. Council president Marty Bender voted for the pay raise, although he is a city employee and will benefit from it.
Council also voted to get started on renovating Renaissance Square—a change in course from just two weeks ago.
Council had rejected a contract to CCI Commercial Construction because it wasn't the lowest overall bidder. That stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
But last week, city officials promised to review the way the city awards contracts. With that assurance, some Council members switched their votes.
The city hopes to start moving in to Renaissance Square next year.
City Council President Marty Bender was back in his chair Tuesday after some time in the hospital.
Bender received a warm welcome from his colleagues. He went to the hospital almost two weeks ago after he became ill at a restaurant.
