Extra Budget Money Could Go to Sustainability Coordinator

Takoma Park has some extra money due to the state replenishing some of the highway user revenue, the city has found itself with an extra $110,000, according to Mayor Bruce Williams. And that could mean the city would use it for a sustainability coordinator, he said.

In August of 2009 the state cut 35 percent of police aide to the city and 95 percent of highway user revenue. This cost the city $560,000 last year. The police aide money has not been restored, but the state has rolled back highway user revenue cuts to 75 percent, which accounts for the extra $110,000 that the city had no accounted for, Williams said. Highway user revenue is money the state gives to municipalities for out-of-city drivers using city roads.

"Hopefully we can do more environmental initiatives," Williams said.

The position would start out as a contract job to see what works and what doesn't. Williams didn't rule out the possibility of it becoming a city staff position.

"A lot of people would like to see it, but some saying taxes are too high and times are tough and don’t burden us with more taxes," Williams said. "It's really important, but on other hand times are tight."

The position has been supported by many of the community members who have spoken out at budget talks.

Sat Jiwan Ikle-Khalsa, Tim Male and Wayne Sherwood were amount many residents who called for a sustainability coordinator at the April 11 Takoma Park City Council meeting where the proposed budget was presented.

"I appreciate all the time in the last six month talking about the Task Force [on Environmental Action] recommendations, but I'm disappointed there aren't more recommendations in the budget draft," Male, who was on the environmental task force said. "A sustainability coordinator is a big piece of it."