The Jefferson City Council officially has put a budget in place for the new fiscal year, but has put a slight hold on some of the newly funded positions.
At the council meeting Monday, council members took up the draft 2015 budget, which was approved by the budget committee earlier this month. But before giving the final stamp of approval, one last change was made.
Fifth Ward Councilman Ralph Bray made a motion to take four positions that were newly funded in the 2015 budget and put the funds for those in a separate line item that would require further council approval before it could be spent. The four positions are one police officer (cost of $53,292), one fire training officer (cost of $89,559), one administrative position in the Human Resources Department (cost of $48,615) and one street maintenance worker (cost of $50,520).
Bray's amendment, which was approved 8-2, put the funds for those four positions into a new line item called "funding for additional positions/equipment/expenses" and stipulated that those funds would not be spent without a recommendation from City Administrator Steve Crowell and council approval.
Fourth Ward Councilman Glen Costales and 4th Ward Councilman Carlos Graham opposed Bray's amendment, with both stating they would prefer to fund the police officer and the fire training officer without any restriction.
Bray said the change would allow for more time to have Crowell complete an analysis and evaluation of city staffing levels and long-term goals. Then, if city revenues allow for the expenses, Bray said the council could approve filling those positions.
Several council members indicated they would prefer to fund the two public safety positions as soon as possible without further evaluation, but an amendment to that end failed 6-4.
Bray said the added steps before spending the money would give a comfort level to city officials who could ensure that the money for those positions was available before giving final approval.
Other council members agreed, saying the city's revenue picture is not looking great at the moment with little to no growth.
"I think it's very important that the administrator go through a process of evaluation," Scrivner said. "We do have a reality of funding here ... We're just trying to be responsible."
After much discussion on Bray's amendment, the final $29.4 million 2015 budget was unanimously approved. The new fiscal year starts Nov. 1.