City Council Members Propose Modest Initial Changes to Mayor’s Capital Budget

The initial set of 10 amendments to be considered by the city’s finance committee on Wednesday will provide $250,000 to support accessible taxis, $200,000 for small business grants in an additional tax funding (TIF) district on State Street and $850,000 for citywide flood mitigation.

Two other changes would delay engineering projects and save money in 2023.

But the proposed changes do not include additional money to help fill a $5.2 million funding shortfall revealed earlier this month that will, at a minimum, delay construction from November until early spring and could completely threaten the project of the public market.

The mayor and members of council will, however, have another chance to propose amendments during the final review of the capital and operating budgets in November.

Aldes. Erik Paulson and Charles Myadze want to borrow $250,000 next year to establish a grant program for licensed private taxi companies to purchase accessible vehicles to increase the availability of “on-demand” accessible taxis in the city . The amendment directs staff to devise a plan in early 2023 for board approval and implementation in the second half of the year.

Aldus. Mike Verveer, 4th District, and two others offered another $200,000 loan in TIF to provide additional funding to meet demand for small business grants. Funds could also be used to support planning activities and furniture repairs and upgrades on State Street.

And Ald. Bill Tishler, 11th District, proposed to spend $850,000 to design and construct the culvert replacement on Orchard Street and extend a culvert across the drainage route, as well as fund the construction and restoration of the maintenance road in the damaged Robin Greenway.