$40 million budget up for discussion

By Meg Olson

Blaine’s $40 million budget will be up for public scrutiny next week.
At a budget public hearing scheduled for November 14 city finance director Meredith Riley will present the 2006 city budget, which includes everything from debt funding and salaries to capital projects and city utilities. “It’s everything,” Riley said of the bottom-line figure of $39,222,088.

The big-ticket items for 2006 are all high visibility. “We have some big construction projects we’re looking at,” Riley said, including a new sewer plant, rebuilding Marine Drive, and the boardwalk. “We’re also doing an additional residential street next year,” she added. Cherry Street will be upgraded to new city street standards.

In response to the ongoing surge in development the city is planning to add more support staff in the building and codes department, Riley said. They also plan to add another building inspector. “They’re hoping that person can also do some code enforcement,” Riley said.
The only other staffing changes being proposed by the administration are increased part-time clerical positions that will affect several departments.