U City Budget Proposal Adds Parking Charges; Cuts Heman Park Community Center Hours

University City's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012 would drastically limit hours of operation at Heman Park Community Center and add fees to park in the Loop.

City Manager Lehman Walker presented the proposal at Monday night's City Council meeting. The budget highlights include:

• No cuts of "front-line personnel" in the police or fire department.
• Charging $1.00 for evening parking on the two large City owned lots,in the area behind Cicero's, which currently do not charge for parking. This will generate at least $210,000 in annual revenue.
• Reducing hours of operation of Heman Park Community Center, for use only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Seniors Program would be transferred to Centennial Commons.
• No increase in property taxes.
• No proposal for sales tax increases.
• Not using the City's reserve fund except for the portion already allocated for the Wilson Avenue flood buyout.

In submitting the budget proposal, Walker said University City's general fund revenues are not keeping pace with the City's expenditures.  

Walker said since becoming city manager in August, U City has reduced expenditures by approximately $600,000. Walker said U City has approximately ten million dollars in its reserve fund. He stressed the City should not rely on these funds to balance the budget.

"If reserves continue to be used to balance the budget, then at some point University City will be in a position where it does not have any reserves," Walker said.

Over the next few months, the city manager will continue to look at cost-saving measures for the City. They include:

• Reviewing the City's pension plan.
• Looking at outsourcing the City's solid waste services.
• Continue to streamline organizations, like consolidating some departments.
• Creating a registration program for residential rental properties.

Residents can attend three more public budget hearings in the coming months. The next one is slated for March 21, at 6:00pm a the McNair Administration Building.