Rochester Mayor Tom Richards has proposed a $482 million
budget for 2013 to 2014 that cuts the city’s Mounted Patrol, closes the 311
service during the overnight hours, and defers a chunk of the city’s pension
obligation.

The property tax rate would not go up, but most homeowners would
see an increase in their tax bill due to increased service fees and
state-mandated tax shift. City residents with homes assessed at $70,000 would
see their taxes increase about $42 a year, Richards said.

Parking fees in downtown garages would go up slightly, he
said, mostly to pay for maintenance of the facilities.

In terms of public safety, the budget cuts the Mounted
Patrol but redeploys the patrol’s officers to fight gang violence and major
crimes, Richards said. The budget also funds a 25-member recruit class for the
Rochester Police Department in February 2014.

The Rochester Fire Department would get four new officers
and there would be two recruit classes.

The 311 call service, which currently takes residents’ nonemergency
calls and service requests 24 hours a day, would be closed from 11 p.m. to 6:30
a.m. — a time when the service gets few calls, Richards said.  The aides who staff the phones would do other
public safety tasks during that time, Richards said, such as monitor surveillance
cameras.

Richards wants to buy into a state plan that would allow the
city to defer a chunk of its pension obligation. The move would save the city
$10.9 million in the new budget, Richards said, which would help preserve vital
services.

The budget also includes additional funding for youth and
recreation, which would, in part, fund afterschool programs at School 17 and
the Edgerton Community Center. The library system is also getting more money,
but eliminating six full-time positions — reflecting, Richards said, a change
in the way libraries are used.

Richards wants to spend $150,000 to add snow routes for a
faster snowplow response. He also wants to add positions in the city’s
Neighborhood and Business Development and information technology departments.

Hearings on the budget will be held on June 4 and June 11.
City Council will vote on June 18.

This article appears in May 15-21, 2013.

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3 replies on “City budget cuts Mounted Patrol, 311 hours”

  2. Like many I was excited to hear increased finding for recreation and youth services as this has been shown to reduce crime, increase school results, and build neighborhoods. Unfortunately the budget decreases funding for the department not increases it as reported. On page 61 of the 2013-2014 budget it clearly shows
    Budget Budget
    2012-13 2013-14 Variance Percent
    Recreation & Youth Services 11,416,100 11,114,600 -301,500 -2.6
    Which is s decrease in funding for recreation. Meanwhile registration and use are both up 15%! Spray park attendance, beach attendance, and pool use are all up. The need for services like summer food, after school academy, and pregnancy services to youths are not decreasing.

    Over the past 7 years the department has been trimmed dramatically. There has been closure of programs, cuts in staff at the remaining programs and reduction is services provided. This year seems more the same and cuts to recreation and youth services will never be part of a plan to improve our city.

  3. At our request, the city’s spokesperson, Gary Walker, sent us this response to Alex White’s comment:

    I would advise Mr. White to watch the budget address on City 12 or to read it on line on the City’s website. The difference is the sun-setting of grant funded programs, that often saw DRYS as just a pass through to other organizations. (i.e. Teen Pregnancy, etc)

    A simple call to this office would have cleared the matter up – would that it be a goal of his to clear the misconception up.

    Here’ is the Mayor’s text from his budget address:

    This year the City is making a significant investment in the Department of Recreation and Youth Services. While the overall DRYS budget is smaller than last year’s that is due to the decrease in grant funds in the amount of $738,700. However, the City investment in DRYS will increase by $437,200. These additional investments include:

    · Additional Pathways to Peace staffing;

    · The re-development of an after-school program at Edgerton;

    · A new after-school program at School 17.

    So the actual City supported investment is DRYS is $437,000.

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