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It calls for no tax increase and will give municipal employees a 3 percent raise.
A vote is set for 4 p.m. today.
But questions persist about whether to fund the $30,000 Plant A Seed summer youth jobs program. The money originally had been budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year, then removed early last week at the urging of Ward 6 Councilman Mike Bryan, and added again Thursday at the request of Ward 7 Councilman Willie Jennings.
They were removed once more Friday by council President Fred Pitts.
Jennings and Bryan have gone back and forth about the program, which was launched this year as a pilot project, since the budget talks began in August. Jennings said it’s a small price to help at-risk youth learn job skills, but Bryan said the city can fold the program into an existing youth jobs program without spending a dime.
Jennings likely will offer an amendment to add the funds during the budget vote today. If he wins support from at least three other council members, the program funds will go back in. Otherwise, they’ll stay out.
In addition to the operating budget, the council is scheduled to adopt capital projects plan that includes $5.5 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Included in that amount is $600,000 for neighborhood improvements like landscaping, sidewalks and demolition of old properties.
In all, the capital projects plan spans five years and $24.6 million worth of expenditures for big-ticket items like fire trucks and a new aquatics center.
emily.lecoz@journalinc.com