In an era of ever-shrinking budgets and ever-rising costs, some cuts could be expected as Warren City Council hammered through its proposed 2013 budget on Monday evening.
While the Transit Authority of Warren County and Paws Along the River Humane Society saw funding from the city approved, several local entities that have received funding in past years were cut or reduced.
Warren County
Historical Society
Councilman Dr. Howard Ferguson said that the Society is "needed to preserve the history and the artifacts of yesteryear." He also noted that it preserves the history of the present, as well.
Funding in the amount of $2,500 was eliminated as a motion to cut the funding was passed by a vote of four to three.
Garden Club
Without any discussion, council eliminated $1,200 in funding for the Warren Garden Club. Councilman John Lewis, Sam Harvey, Chris Park and Mayor Mark Phillips voted in favor of the cut.
Music in the Park
Councilman Jim Zavinski, who has coordinated the Music in the Park program for many years, said that it "normally gets $2,500 from the city for the program." He explained that the program is 14 years old but he doesn't "know if we're going to have any until good people are going to come forward and manage it." He indicated that he "wants to see us put (funding) in there" for the program.
Councilman Chris Park noted that the contribution expense to date is only $1,175. "That's the amount needed to cover expense," Financial Officer Donna Risinger said. She added that the organization received a contribution from Northwest Savings Bank but said that the costs for the program exceeded the amount of the contribution from the bank.
Park asked if the organization would need the full $2,500.
"No, not really," Zavinski responded. Park then made a motion to reduce funding to Music in the Park to $1,500. The motion carried 6-1 with Zavinski voting no.
Warren Area Student Union
While cutting funding for the Student Union was considered, "if we're considering not funding the student union, we might want to do it the second year and give them warning that that is a possibility," Ferguson said. "(It's) not a great deal of money."
Junior Councilman Cody McGraw spoke in favor of the funding, noting that WASU "plays a vital role in a lot of kids' lives. A lot of kids go there after school. (It is) a really good program...every dollar they get is pretty important."
No vote was taken on this funding item.