In Red Bank’s budget for fiscal year 2015-2016, a $50,000 education fund was included to supplement public schools in the city. At the city commission meeting Tuesday night, discussion took place about how to distribute the money. There are four schools that will share the funds - Red Bank Elementary, Alpine Crest Elementary, Red Bank Middle and Red Bank High.
Mayor John Roberts suggested having a month-long period of time from Aug.
15 through Sept. 15, when the schools would have to submit written requests. City Manager Randall Smith said this application would document and outline the need, purpose and budget for each project that is requested. The commissioners will make the final decision of how the money is divided.
Past commissioner Ruth Juno told the commissioners that providing money for education was great, but she thought it would only be fair to divide the money equally among the four schools. Mayor Roberts answered that the recipients would be decided after looking at all requests during a work study meeting with an open forum where citizens can participate.
When the city manager came to Red Bank, he looked for ways to improve the government, said Mayor Roberts. One change he suggested was to update the personnel manual which was last revised in 1998. Since that time, things have changed including increased use of the Internet, cell phones and texting which were not addressed in the manual. On second and final reading Tuesday night the commission voted to make amendments that will modernize the personnel rules.
While looking at the personnel policies it was noticed that the city’s comprehensive travel policy needed to be amended. The change that has been made and approved by the commissioners, clarifies times for reimbursement of meals while traveling for the city.
Police Chief Tim Christol told the commissioners that every six months a state law requires each city to dispose of weapons that have been taken in. The firearms can be sold or traded, but the transaction must go through a licensed firearms dealer. If traded, they can be in exchange for weapons, body armor or ammunition. The commissioners voted to allow the chief to dispose of the accumulated property in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
The 2016 budget was amended Tuesday night to carry forward funds from last year’s budget in order to complete projects that began in 2015 but were not finished by year end or items that were not purchased last year but will be bought in 2016.