Nov 6, 2003 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A fourth budget session on Wednesday to match projected 2004 city expenditures to anticipated revenues fell short of the goal despite concessions by some departments to cut spending. While the initial $109,386 budget deficit has been pared to approximately $50,000 since council began meeting in October to formulate a spending plan for the upcoming year, the panel appears to be at odds as to where additional trimming can be made within the varied departments.

While the police and fire departments, along with the treasurer’s office and accounts and finance have cut expenditures, Councilman Bruce Jaynes, who oversees the street department, said he can no longer continue to take the financial cutbacks he has had to incur over the past several years.

“Every year the budget for this department is cut,” he said, pointing to the nearly $32,000 reduction in the 2004 proposed budget from the current year. “This can’t go on.”

Jaynes did trim $15,000 from his initial $23,200 in financial requests to cover added road and maintenance materials and equipment maintenance costs, but he remained adamant that he would not withdraw his request for $12,000 to be earmarked for the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co.

“I initially wanted $25,000, but $12,000 would be fair,” he said. “That’s not too much for the amount of services the company provides to the city.”

Councilman John Whalen, director of public health and safety, conceded that the fire company was top rate, but would not go along with the allocation unless the company officers would open their financial records for the council to scrutinize.

“I don’t want to leave office with this still being a source of contention,” said Whalen. “The five of us represent 9,000 people and we have to be accountable to them.

“I would want to know where the money was going to be spent before I would go along with (the proposal).”

After cutting the long-time annual amount from $25,000 to $15,000 in 2002, the majority of council opted to cut the general fund allocation for 2003. However, the panel raised its contribution from $50,000 to $75,000 through its state Department of Community Development Block Grant funding program to counter the withdraw of general fund support.

Councilwoman Judy Keller, director of the accounts and finance department said the current budget continues to show a deficit without the inclusion of the general fund allocation and questioned where the revenue would be forthcoming, if approved.

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t have a solution,” responded Jaynes. “I would recommend we move (the amount) from one of our savings accounts.”

Following the meeting, Jaynes said he would continue to press for the company funding to be added to the 2004 budget.

“We’ve had three major fires in the past two weeks and it’s been New Haven that has responded,” he said. “The $12,000 is not going to break the city.”

Councilman-elect Brad Geyer who along with Councilman-elect Charles Matthews will take the seats currently held by Whalen and Keller in January, said he has been satisfied with the budget process and the effort exhibited by each department to cut expenses.

“It’s good to see everyone pulling together,” he said.

Council plans to conduct further budget sessions on Nov. 13, 20 and 21 in order to meet a Nov. 25 deadline for presenting a balanced spending plan for public review. Council is required to approve the budget prior to Dec. 31.