Pandemic Results in  Revenue

Drop For Florissant Budget

By Carol Arnett
The Florissant City Council had a short but busy meeting last week, passing the bills that approve the budget and holding the first reading on a bill that will form a Citizens Police Review Board, as well as other bills.
The council started their last meeting on a bittersweet note, bidding goodbye to Deputy City Clerk Anita Moore, who is retiring after 22 years in the position, and 26 years with the city. The council passed a resolution honoring Moore and her service.
After the resolution was read, several council members, City Attorney John Hessel, and City Clerk Karen Goodwin, spoke about Moore. Several mentioned that she was especially helpful when they started on the council.
Next, the council passed several bills that would approve the budget for the fiscal year 2021, which begins on Dec. 1. In Florissant, the mayor submits a proposed budget to the council, and the council and mayor review and work on it. The council must approve the bills approving the budget.
In the mayor’s budget message, Lowery addressed the Coronavirus. The city experienced revenue shortfalls as people stayed home, and therefore reduced expenditures in all areas except public safety, he said. He warned that economic impact will continue into next year, and the budget recognizes this.
The General Fund, the largest fund in the budget, is $21,693,391, down from $22,555,612 in 2020. This fund includes all of the city’s departments, including the police. The police department is allocated $11,159,686 from the General Fund.
The new budget will fund the current salary plan. Part-time workers will be limited to 29 hours per week.
The Park Improvement Fund expenditures will include purchasing new mowers, improving the Splash Pad, replacing the fencing at Dunegant Park, leasing vehicles, and installing an inclusive playground and Manion Park. $735,395 has been budgeted for the playground, and $525,000 will be reimbursed through The St. Louis Council Municipal Parks Grants.
The budget also included $2,200,000 for street, road, bridge and sidewalk work. The council passed a resolution in support of the School Resource Officer Program (SRO).
Mayor Timothy Lowery praised the officers. He said that while their primary duty is to maintain safety, they do more. “These eleven officers that are assigned as SROs go above and beyond this,” Lowery said. “They are just really a positive influence on the students.”
     In other matters, the council:
• Passed a bill adding a pedestrian crosswalk to St. Francois at Brown Street.
• Held a first reading on a bill that would approve the formation of a Citizens Police Review Board.
• Held a first reading on a bill that would regulate the use of laser pointers and ban using them to harass others.

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