Sneak Peek: City Council This Week

Study Session

The news about this week’s study session? There isn’t going to be one. Regular meetings and study sessions will resume in 2012.

Special Council Meeting

There may not be a study session or a “regular” meeting, but the Council will hold a “special” meeting This Tuesday, December 20th at 5 p.m. The agenda of this very special pre-holiday meeting includes final readings of two ordinances, both intended to be a part of the budget gap solution.

One of the two ordinances, regarding ticket tax on nonprofit events, has met challenges and questions from the local arts community. The Council is expected to consider a motion to hold that ordinance over until January 31st. By that time the City’s external budget review should be completed, and the city and affected groups should have had a little time to address concerns and logistics of the ordinance. The second of the two ordinances lowers thresholds for city B&O taxes on small businesses. We’re expecting to see this ordinance go to a vote.

Budget

In the continuing quest to prevail over the budget imbalance, the Council will also hear 2012 General Fund Budget Reduction proposals including internal services budget reduction presentations from the City Manager’s Office, Government Relations, Non Departmental, Hearing Examiner, Human Resources, Information Technology and Legal departments. Hopefully we’ll see some creative solutions to help narrow the gap.

City Manager Search: Update

Not much of an update, actually. The City continues to be vague about whether they expect to choose a manager this week.

Members of the City Council may deliberate on the City Manager finalists and vote on a final selection during the Dec. 20 special meeting. Council could also decide to continue their consideration of the finalist qualifications and make their final decision at a later date.

How’s that for clarity?