Council sends budget back to drawing board

Marshall city council members tonight expressed concern that the proposed 2008-2009 budget from City Manager Chris Olson does not contain funding for necessary capital improvements such as the repair of Brooks Fountain while acknowledging that some layoffs may be necessary. Council members also discussed cutting back on lawn mowing at the athletic fields and cemetery to help stretch city dollars and noted that at least $200,000 is needed for annual street repairs. Council members also expressed an apparent consensus that Olson's proposed property tax rate cut is not acceptable because, according to Brent Williams, he will not support a special millage to finance capital improvement projects as proposed by Olson. See this weekend's Chronicle for more on the budget debate and other city related issues.