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If a city department wants a larger budget, it pays to show up and defend the request. Otherwise, someone else will poach the money.
That's what happened to the Health Department's requested budget last night, at a meeting of the Common Council's planning committee. At this point in the budget process, Health's request came to an extra $110,000 for building repairs. But Tim Callahan, the director of health, didn't go to the meeting to explain why he needed the money.
Immediately, competitors pounced. Committee chair Doug Hempstead wanted another $75,000 for watercourse management. It came out of the Health request. So did $25,000 sought by Council member Kelly Straniti for developing open space. Weve made progress in the past few years, providing money to help save the White Barn property and the Hart Peninsula," she said. The area around the Norwalk hospital and Spring Hill also need some park and open space. This would help move us forward.
The members of the committee agreed with both of the changes--a win for open space, which hasn't had much luck before. Health's request has been pared to just $10,000. The full Common Council will vote on the recommendations when it meets to to adopt the capital budget for FY 2010-11. Other proposed changes include moving funds from other requests to increase the funds for Cranbury Park, Fodor Farm and the library, as well as technology upgrades to the Common Council chambers.
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