June 7, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 21 . . Ashley, Pillas Oppose Plan FROM PAGE 20 last-minute changes,” he said. “We have spent months agonizing over the budget in these meetings and in the 11th hour to make changes if there are going to be any, like funding for the skate park, it should come out of capital funding like we agreed to back in April.” Budget Manager Jennie Knapp offered the Mayor and City Council an alternative to fund the skate park besides from the fund balance or capital improvement funding as it was recently learned the town’s general services director will be retiring. “I have an alternative amendment that would reduce the funding for the position of the general services director upon his retirement and that would also reduce the funding that is necessary in solid waste, transportation, and charter for services,” she pointed out. Councilman Joe Mitrecic suggested entering the funding for the skate park during Budget Amendment No. 1 that usually takes place around February. “At that time, we will see where we are financially and at that point have that money add the skate park,” he said. Mayor Rick Meehan advised against waiting to add the funding for the skate park to the budget at a later time as that was not the promise made to the public. “We told them it would remain in the budget, and I would hate not to follow up what was said that night,” he said. Mitrecic moved to amend his motion to approve the budget as presented to not take the funding for the skate park out of fund balance but to take it out of paving, which is scheduled to being next season. The council will then have Budget Amendment No. 1 and the funding can be reinstated into paving. Councilman Brent Ashley became concerned with fund balance being set at 15 percent, as he pointed out that it’s the lowest level it has been in years. In 2012, the fund balance was at 17.5 percent and in 2011 it was at 20.2 percent. “I compare things in everyday terms,” he said. “We have the same income, less savings, and further and further debt.” Council President Lloyd Martin asserted Ashley was part of the former council majority who voted to give employee bonuses as well as take a penny off the tax rate last minute in the budget process. “What that did was it made us take more money out of fund balance to pave the roads,” Martin said. “So for a person that is concerned about the fund balance … you voted to take money out of fund balance to give bonuses to the employees, so you can’t have it both ways.” The council voted to approve the FY14 budget in its second and final reading as amended with a vote of 52 with Ashley and Pillas in opposition. ION ANZFUSND TR A Y FRIDA AY D SATUR WELCOME OC Air And Car & Truck Shows 1/2-PRICE ENTREES EVERY SUNDAY, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 5 P.M.-9 P.M. All specials are not valid with any other offers. Add $4 for each crab and scallops and/or steak dish. Dinner available with purchase of beverage. No carry-out. Happy Hour Daily 3-6 Food & Drink Specials Early Bird Daily 4-6 Special Dinner Menu Buzztime • Keno Open Daily At 11 a.m. • 28th St. Plaza 410-289-3100 • www.coinspub.com