Red Bank Commissioners on Tuesday night approved the 2015-2016 budget that keeps the property tax rate at $1.35 for every $100 in property value.
Mayor John Roberts said some of the items planned for the new year are that police vehicles, currently Dodge Chargers, will be replaced by efficient Volkswagens.
Employee raises are in the plan and updates to the municipal swimming pool will be made. In anticipation of more people using the new Stringers Ridge Trail, a new parking lot will be built to accommodate more cars. Increased support will be given to the Humane Society and, for the first time, the city will provide some help to the schools in Red Bank.
The second reading of the budget will take place at the next commission meeting on Tuesday, June 16, when more details will be given.
When the current budget for 2014-2015 was created it was based on the best guess estimate of costs, said City Manager Randall Smith, and at the end of the fiscal year the budget must be amended so that the actual expenses and revenues match actual costs. Approval was given in a unanimous vote to allow these bookkeeping reconciliations to satisfy auditors.
When an arrest is made for DUI or is drug-related, blood samples are taken for evidentiary purposes. A resolution was passed to contract with Martin Law Enforcement Services, LLC to perform this service for the police department.
Most cities have a cap on paid, accrued leave time for city employees. Until now, Red Bank has had no limit. Upon recommendation of the city manager, a cap of 400 hours will be established. There are 15 current employees that have accumulated more leave than that maximum. The commission approved capping the number of hours and making a one-time payment to those employees for their hours in excess of 400. Another amendment was made to the current year’s budget by adding $98,448 so that funds would be available to make those payments.
At the May 19 meeting the commissioners voted to accept a grant from TDOT for making safety improvements along a section of Dayton Boulevard from Greenleaf Street to Meadowbrook Drive. This would include reducing the speed limit and improvements such as pedestrian islands, signal push buttons and bike lanes to be built. TDOT will provide 80 percent of the $450,000 project.
Tuesday night a business owner and several residents spoke in opposition to most of the proposed changes. Daniel Shoats, owner of Red Bank Thrift Shop at 2102 Dayton Boulevard said he was opposed to reducing speed on that road from the current 35 mph. He fears that people would avoid the road altogether resulting in less traffic leading to less business. A couple of speakers were opposed to pedestrian islands, one saying they would make turning difficult for 18-wheeler trucks, and another saying they thought islands positioned at turn lanes had the possibility of being a hazard.. One man said he had collected 80 signatures from businesses along Dayton Boulevard against the reduction of speed because they fear it would have a negative effect on businesses. No speaker was opposed to creating bike lanes. Each speaker was thanked by the mayor for their comments.
Mayor Roberts later said he and other commissioners had no plans to reduce the speed limit on Dayton Boulevard. He said, "We looked at each other and thought that came from Mars."
In his report, the city manager explained the “yellow dot program,” and encouraged all to participate in it. A large yellow dot would be positioned on the vehicle’s back glass window. In the event of an emergency, the first responders would know to look in the glove box for identifications, notes about drugs and health conditions that should be known. It could save your life, said Mr. Smith. The stickers are available from the fire department.
Mayor Roberts gave those present a reminder that on June 14 a re-dedication of Erlanger North will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Vendors will be present and Mayfield ice cream and tours of the facility will be available.