According to a power point presentation given by Director of Public Works Bill McTygue on March 18, the water budget has accumulated a $168,590 shortfall since 2004. The rate increases will ensure that the city’s water and sewer budgets are balanced.

“I hate rate increases as much as the next guy,” Commissioner of Public Works Skip Scirocco said.

Scirocco also noted the city’s expenses are surpassing sales because it is dependent upon how much water the city sells. For example, if it’s a dry season the city sells more water; if it is a wet season they sell less.

Two weeks ago, the city council voted 4-1 in favor of tabling Commissioner Scirocco’s rate increases. Commissioner John Franck had cited having a problem with the “whole process” while Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim said he could not vote on an increase until he received the 2007 expense numbers.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Kim and Commissioner Franck said they had no other choice but to vote for the rate increases. “I just want the public to know that this will fix the budget,” Kim said.

Mayor Johnson acknowledged that the numbers presented last week had been confusing, but that they had been made much clearer since then, thanks to Commissioner Ivins and Commissioner Scirocco. Johnson also said that if the council did not vote for the increases then the city would once again have a deficit.

Although water and sewer rates were the major concern for many of the citizens in attendance, Mark Baker, president of the City Center Authority, presented his annual report on the City Center during the Mayor’s Agenda.

Baker said the convention center earned income for 2007 had increased 8.3 percent over income in 2006. He also noted that operating costs had increased by a mere 2.3 percent. The center also created $27 million in sales, including earning 1.9 million in sales tax revenue upon hosting over 200,000 guests.

Baker said that even during rocky economic times the City Center has been successful at drawing in tourists during the city’s down time. “The City Center is a place people like to visit time and time again,” Baker said.

Baker also made clear how important the City Center is to the city’s downtown landscape, citing the sales tax incurred by the center is what allows the city to maintain its landscape on Broadway year round.

The City Center is currently in the process of expanding its facilities. Baker told the council the state dormitory authority had dispersed $6 million for the project and an additional $6 million is pending in the state budget. Nonetheless, Baker said he had spoken with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and he told him the money is as good as in hand. Baker said he hopes to see construction crews break ground by the end of the year.

Other notable issues discussed:

• During the Accounts Department Agenda, the council awarded a $210,000 bid in order to restore the City Hall steps to their original appearance.

• During Public Works Agenda, Commissioner Scirocco set a date for an informational meeting concerning proposed improvements to the intersection of Church and Myrtle Streets. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the city conference room.

• During the Public Safety Agenda, Commissioner Kim pulled his vote to approve additional funds in the amount of $64,012 to cover the anticipated overtime for city police officers to deal with law enforcement issues at the Racino in 2008.