As some of you may know, tonight at 6 p.m. the City Council will meet
for their third budget workshop in just less than a month. I've been hearing reports from all over (inside and outside City Hall) that Finance Commissioner Ken Ivins has found undedicated funds somewhere that could make up for a chunk of the $2.23 million deficit.

Ivins has been tight lipped about the existence of those funds, where they may have come from, and how they would affect the budget. You would think someone in his position would want that type of news to be reported sooner than later. While interviewing officials yesterday I
found it odd that while the Accounts department was given a new bottom line, Commissioner Wirth and Mayor Johnson were simply told to aim lower.

Commissioner Scirocco gave me no indication that he had received notification that the amount would be decreased, agreeing that the number stood at $500,000.

Other papers have reported that the deficit had been lowered due to better than expected sales tax numbers, but Ivins said yesterday that $2.23 million was the number to reach.

I guess we'll get the answers tonight.

Tonight's workshop will not feature a public comment portion, but privilege of the floor will be allowed at the beginning of the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. A budget workshop with public comment is scheduled at 6 p.m. April 14 in the council chamber.

There are a few upcoming events not (directly) budget related worth checking out.

This Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Public Library non-partisan charter review group Saratoga Citizen will formally announce plans to put the Council-Manager Form of government on the ballot this November. "Focus on the future" will be the theme of the meeting.
Also, on Saturday, April 17 at the Saratoga Hilton a retirement party will be held for former Saratoga Springs Police Chief Ed Moore. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow a 7.

Tickets can be purchased for $48, that price includes a five dollar donation to not-for-profit support group Kelly’s Angels Inc. The group benefits local children who have lost a parent to cancer.

You can RSVP and get ticketing info by contacting Moore at rmoore@cpsalbany.com or 518-588-7497 by April 10. Tickets must be purchased in advance.