Dayton commissioners continue 2010 budget planning

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By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer 9:43 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

DAYTON — The city’s Office of Economic Development will dedicate staff in 2010 to growing large-volume water customers, advancing Dayton as an aerospace hub and retaining businesses.

“We want to support companies that are growing. We want to support winners,” City Manager Tim Riordan said.

The Dayton City Commission, on Wednesday, Nov. 25, continued 2010 budget planning with presentations from the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Riordan rolled out the process last week by announcing the most controversial of all proposed cuts including 66 layoffs, fee hikes and service reductions.

Over the next three weeks, department directors and senior staff will fill in details of how those cuts will impact citizens and services.

Shelley Dickstein, assistant city manager for strategic development, outlined potential need of $14.5 million Development Fund spending next year to provide assistance to businesses, land development, grant matches, also continued work on TechTown and downtown.

Proposed allocation for the Development Fund: $4.3 million.

The outlook for some organizations dependant on funds from the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development is bleak next year.

Total city funding of $70,000 to the Ombudsman’s Office may be cut. A commitment of $15,000 to Homeless Solutions Policy Board staffing will not be renewed.

City Commissioner Nan Whaley said the prospect of cutting Ombudsman funds has given her “heartburn adding, “The office provides a service.”

Established in 1971, the office investigates about 1,000 citizen problems against government each year and makes about 5,000 referrals to other agencies.

“The blow would be very severe,” said Ombudsman Diane Welborn, adding the cut represents 39 percent of the office’s $189,000 budget.

Mayor Rhine McLin suggested convening an event such as a town hall meeting to give citizens an opportunity to make alternative suggestions to proposed cuts.

City Commissioner Joey Williams ran with the idea suggesting a more formal way for employees to do the same.

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