By: Sam Hernandez
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Fort Collins City Council members met Tuesday to discuss the city’s recommended budget for the upcoming year. As Chief Financial Chair, Mike Freeman went over what will be funded and what will be cut in 2011; it was obvious that some council members were upset some projects could not be funded.
Kelly Ohlson, Mayor Pro-Team, was concerned about sidewalk cleaning, which is a service that will not be funded in downtown Fort Collins. “I cannot get enough of sidewalk cleaning,” Ohlson said sarcastically. Downtown Fort Collins sidewalks normally gets power washed six to seven times a year and corners are maintained on a regular basis. However, due to the budget cuts, the city is going to have to rely on store front owners to keep them clean.
The “Quiet Zone Study” will also have to be delayed because of budget cuts. It is a $75,000 study, which city council member, Ben Manvel, “[thinks] is important.” The study is on quieting the railroad. Darin Atteberry, City Manager explained that it is not a top priority for the city right now but with later funding the study could happen next year.
Jim Clark, Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau head, explains if the 2B issue is passed that the city can raise lodging taxes. “Shorter stays and people watching dollars,” said Clark about the current trends in visitors this summer verses last summer. The city of Fort Collins lodging taxes are currently at 9.7%.
If issue 2B is passed, the city could potentially raise up to 18.5 million, which would help the city grow. City projects, such as the quiet zone study and upkeep with city sidewalks could be funded. City council members could not be reached for further question on the recommended budget for 2011-2012.
One correction I would make is Mike Freeman is the Chief Financial Officer, not the Chief Financial Chair. I think you did a good job at explaining a few of the main issues discussed, which I liked because your story had more of a focus than it would have if you had talked about everything that happened. One criticism I have would be to include more quotes so we can hear the city council member's voices.
ReplyDeleteI really like the article you wrote, it was very concise and gave a good overview of what went on in the meeting. One suggestion I would make is to organize the information in more of a pyramid style. Right now, it seems as if each paragraph of information you used could be interchangeable throughout the piece. Also, adding a small rundown of the topics covered in the meeting might help direct the focus of your article. What you wrote definitely shows that you understood what the council members were discussing which was impressive. Really good work overall! I thought it sounded really professional.
ReplyDeleteI think you have a very good informative title. The opening is a little soft; with inverted pyramid it should only be facts and updates in the first graph. You only covered one section of the meeting. You covered that one section very well; but you only provide your reader with have of the information. I think you picked some great stats and used some powerful quotes. Overall it was kind of short and didn’t tell me enough about all the information of the meeting as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI think your article was sweet and to the point. It gave a good summary of what was discussed during the meeting and made it aware that the city does not have a lot of money to fund miscellaneous projects, like the "street cleaning". Overall really good!
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