The $58 million budget deficit initially projected by Mayor Alvin Brown is closer to $45 million now, but the administration might be running out of time to reap those savings that are proposed through reorganization, said City Council Vice President Bill Bishop.
Bishop was elected Tuesday to serve as president for the 2012-13 Council year beginning July 1. He spoke Wednesday to members of the Southside Business Men’s Club.
Bishop said the main focus of the Council will be the budget that Brown is expected to present July 16.
He said any reorganization discussion not completed by then will be put on hold.
Bishop has maintained that stance since Brown began discussing reorganization during budget hearings last summer.
Brown has said savings from the reorganization could apply toward filling budget gaps and to fund reorganized departments.
The Council has discussed two pieces of legislation from Brown to redesign economic development, but Brown’s administration is redrafting them.
Although a part of the previously submitted bills, one new piece of legislation introduced Tuesday would establish the Downtown Investment Authority to serve as Downtown’s community redevelopment area.
Bishop said Council will need time to review the bills, and the budget deadline is looming.
“It’s more and more problematic because we are not taking them up at the same time. I don’t know how they are going to do that,” Bishop said, referring to savings that the administration expects from the pending reorganization.
Bishop said he has briefly read the proposed new bill and approves of its thoroughness more than previous bills, and he credits the administration for conservative estimates when crafting the upcoming budget.
Asked what he wanted to accomplish as Council president, Bishop had several answers.
“When we get through this budget cycle, we’re in a better place than we were last year,” Bishop said.
He said he hopes to convince Brown that the City needs to return to the transportation planning business.
“If we don’t, we will suffer for many, many years,” he said.
Asked his position on how government is run, he said he doesn’t believe in a philosophy often touted.
“You really don’t want government operating like a business,” he said.
His said the structure doesn’t allow for profit demands and that government’s role is defined.
“Government doesn’t have that incentive because there is no profit margin,” he said.
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