AGENDA #1

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:      Public Forum on the Annual Budget, Capital Program, Use of Grants and Related Items and Potential Legislative Requests

 

DATE:            March 22, 2006

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide background information for the Council’s public forum tonight.

 

We suggest that the Council receive comments tonight in a combined forum format in which citizens may make comments regarding any of the forum topics.

 

OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET PROCESS

 

Through the Town's annual budget process, the Town Council makes decisions on the level and types of services provided to citizens with local, State and federal funds.

 

Adoption of a budget determines in many respects the level of resources to be available for Town services over the coming budget year. Normally, there are limited options for adding to the budget after it is adopted.

 

The budget process is both one of the most important functions and responsibilities of the Council and a key opportunity for citizens' participation in Town government.

 

BRIEF BACKGROUND

 

Process for Participation by Citizens

 

An additional public hearing on the budget and related items will be held at 7:00 p.m. on:

 

May 10 -          Recommended budget for the service year beginning on July 1, 2006; use of transit grants; recommended 15-year capital program; Downtown Service District program.

 

Citizens may also make comments to the Mayor and Council by letter, fax, or e-mail at any time in the budget process.

 

Notice of the budget forum was published in the Chapel Hill News on March 19th (see Attachment 1) with additional notice specifically concerning Community Development funds.  We mailed or emailed notices to interested citizens on March 17th.  Notice has also been provided on the Town’s web-site beginning on January 17th.

 

TOPICS FOR THE PUBLIC FORUM AND HEARING

 

Information on each topic for the forums tonight follows:

 

Page   Topic
3 A.   Status report on development of the 2006-2007 budget.
3 B.   Preliminary report on the 2006-2021 Capital Improvements Plan.
5 C.   Proposed Community Development Plan for 2006-2007.
6 D.   Proposed 2006-2007 Housing Capital Grant Program for public housing renovation and resident services.
E.   Proposed 2006-2007 HOME Program for housing and community development programs in Chapel Hill and Orange County.
8 F.   Proposed use of Transportation Grants in 2006-2007.
9 G.   Use of Downtown Service District tax funds for 2006-2007.
10 H.   Potential legislative requests that might be sought in the 2006 session of the General Assembly.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council refer comments and questions to boards and commissions and to the Manager for consideration and recommendations in the budget process.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

(Note:  Copies of the attachments are available in the Clerk’s Office in Town Hall, the reference desk of the Chapel Hill Public Library, and posted on the Town’s website, www.townofchapelhill.org).

 

1a.    Status Report on development of the 2006-2007 budget.

1b.    Preliminary report on the 2006-2021 Capital Improvements Program.

1c.    Proposed Community Development Plan for 2006-2007.

1d.    Proposed 2006-2007 HOME Program funding.

1e.   Preliminary proposal for the 2006-2007 Housing Capital Grant Program for public housing renovation and resident services.

1f.     Proposed use of Transportation Grants for 2006-2007.

1g.    Use of Downtown Service District tax funds for 2006-2007.

1h.   Potential legislative requests that might be sought in the 2006 session of the General Assembly.