Blogging Live from the Trenton City Council Meeting

City council members, Mayor Gerald Brown and several city employees are at a public budget discussion at Trenton City Hall. Several firefighters including Chief Bruce Vick are attending the meeting to find out what may happen with the .

7:03 p.m.

There doesn't seem to be much argument yet as to Brown's preliminary budget presented to council members at the last regulaly scheduled meeting.

7:18 p.m.

Council members asked if the budget reflected a second tranport truck for Trenton Fire Department. The department won't know if a grant for the truck is approved until October. Recently, council approved a the writing of a grant for that would serve two purposes.

7:25 p.m.

The budget for the Department of Public Works was said to be "difficult to figure out" because "you never know where the money will need to go." There was talk about the city sidewalks and it was said that the department has not gotten caught up on sidewalk maintenance meaning more money would need to be budgeted for the the remaining work.

7:29 p.m.

Animal control budget has not been provided by Woodhaven. It’s a shared service. “They are putting a lot of animals down,” said one council member.

Kennedy Rec fund has been reduced. The outdoor pool, staffing reduced compared costs from last year (warm year) and the budget was reduced for the coming summer. There were more people last year than from the year before. The pool was open at night on certain days of the week.

Retiree Benefits: prescription costs have increased “exponentially”, health care costs stayed about the same as last year. We are seeing a diminishment in our per prescription costs. It’s important to look at the per script cost, but we have only been with the plan for five months. Saved $12,000 to $15,000 by changing the healthcare provider.

“This will probably go to litigation at some point,” Brown said. There will be a closed session tonight to discuss retiree benefits.

7:41 p.m.

A rough draft of the 2012-13 budget was discussed. The 2011-12 budget was used to help make this budget.

The closing of the Trenton North Engine Chrysler Plant will soon be closed and the city would lose significant revenue from the closing and demolishing of this plant. The plant was replaced by a new plant in in Trenton, Trenton South ENgine Plant, in 2009.

7:47 p.m.

"It could take up to 20 years to recover from the amount (of money) we have lost in the last three," the City Manager said.

7:49 p.m.

One council member recommended eliminated using credit cards, however Brown said there has not been any instances of abuse with the cards. The cards are paid off each month and rewards are used to benefit the city.

7:50 p.m.

The regularly scheduled city council meeting came to order at 8:00 p.m.

Council members approved the purchase of two solar arrow board for the Department of Public Works.

Police Chief Lillienthal requested to sell unclaimed bicycles at the upcoming city wide garage sale and his request was approved. The sale will be April 16 at 11 a.m.

8:14 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.