BIRMINGHAM - AL -
City councilman Johnathan Austin feels pretty good about the modified budget. Austin says, "I've been supporting the version of the Mayors budget since he presented it to the council originally."
Councilwoman Kim Rafferty, not so pleased. Rafferty says, "I was deeply disappointed, that the mayor could not have been forthcoming. Rafferty says Mayor William Bell blind sided the council by making revenue and expenditure changes that no one knew about. "I would actually like to see the Mayor and the council president to man up and the council come to the table and actually discusses the proposals that are on the table," says Rafferty.
Rafferty says she met with Bell Friday morning and there were no indications to any changes. Rafferty says, "All I had to go on was the integrity of the word of Mr. Patton in the meeting Wednesday night that when he stated that the mayor has no changes or other concessions to offer to the council at this time."
Bell proposed a budget just a couple of weeks ago, but it was denied. Rafferty says errors were made on that plan, which totaled almost $300,000. As for the new plan, Rafferty has questions. Rafferty says, "I want to see answers to those questions, what happened with those bare property contracts, were these eras or were these funding adjustments, there were funding options that he had put on the table that he just removed, no explanations on the changes."
Earlier this week, bell said he made the right adjustments to get everyone on board.
A three and a half week process that councilors say needed, and still needs, more compromising.
Austin says, "We have to be willing to compromise on both ends, and knowing that we're not all going to get what we want, at the end of the day we will get what's in the best interest for the citizens of Birmingham."
The budget is expected to be voted this Tuesday at city hall.
