Council discusses 2019 interim budget

Amherst City Council was presented Nov. 5 with the 2019 interim budget for the city by Mayor Mark Costilow.

Costilow said during a council meeting the budget provides “some pretty good estimated resources” for the upcoming year.

The unofficial budget stands at nearly $35 million, exceeding both 2018 and 2017 interim budgets, which were almost $31 million and more than $32 million, respectively.

Accounts that are projected to increase in funds include the general fund, street maintenance and office on aging, Costilow said.

The city also is projected to experience an increase in state issue funds, totaling nearly $1.5 million in 2019.

Projects such as updating up to $150,000 worth of software have not been added to the interim budget yet, but is expected to be taken out of the cable television fund in installments for three years, Costilow said.

During the meeting, Councilman Joe Miller found issue with taking money for software out of the cable television fund.

“I’m not buying this poaching the cable fund for something for other than what it is intended and I’m trying to hold to it,” Miller said.

Councilman Phil Van Treuren questioned the need for a cable television account because many of the funds already are used for communication and technological purposes.

“The way technology is advancing, I mean, I’ll say it: I don’t think that cable television will be the best option for us to communicate and get our message out there much longer,” Van Treuren said. “To call this a cable television fund seems a little bit silly to me when

“I’m not buying this poaching the cable fund for something for other than what it is intended and I’m trying to hold to it.”

— Amherst councilman Joe Miller

we’re devoting so much of this to communication and technology.”

Costilow said the cable television funds may be placed into the general fund instead in future budgets.

Councilman Chuck Winiarski said if the cable television fund is dissolved, he hopes the city can find a way to further help the Steele News Live program in Amherst Exempted Village Schools.

“It’s been a good partnership for a number of years,” Costilow said. “And if we’re not getting our benefit from cable access and public access, we need to figure out what’s best for our moneys. But I won’t leave them out to dry.”

Major road resurfacing projects on portions of Cooper Foster Park Road also will make their way onto the budget once the full budget is due at the end of the year, he said.