By Christina Gramling
Special to the Times/News

The 2012 budget for the city of Des Moines was approved by the City Council Dec. 1 by a 4-3 vote.

Council members Dave Kaplan, Dan Sherman and Scott Thomasson voted against the budget. Sherman and Thomasson did not run for re-election so they will be off the council in January.

“As much as I want to, I can’t support the budget. It’s the process. It’s the same process year after year, after year,” said Kaplan.

Despite a vote in favor of the budget, Councilman Matt Pina agreed that changes needed to be made to the “process” and said, “I know it’s [2012 budget] not perfect.” But, he added, the council needed to move forward.

Other members were concerned with using the city’s “one-time” funds to balance the budget.

With new expenditures such as a full-time economic development manager costing the city $120,000 per year and the marina’s lease rising from just $16,000 to $102,000 per year, new income will need to be devised.

Sherman proposed charging the “wildly successful” waterfront farmer’s market a lease as a source for potential income for the city.

The farmer’s market has never paid a lease for the land use.

New liquor licensing fees are estimated at $128,000 and a reduction in jail services fees of approximately $109,000 helped to reduce cuts.

There will also be a freeze on police department hiring and the elimination of the evidence technician position.

Pina said the word “freeze” was appropriate because it notes the city does not intend to permanently eliminate those positions.

Because the police guild contract was also approved through Dec. 31, 2014, the city will save on healthcare costs, and new hire expenses, such as uniforms.

In a unanimous decision the City Council moved to approve the Marina & Beach Park Business Development Plan.

As a result of the acceptance, the immediate organization of a committee to head the plan was also agreed upon.

All local citizens and business owners are encouraged to participate by applying with the city to be on the committee or attending the public hearings in the coming months.

Amendments to the 2009 Des Moines Comprehensive Plan were also approved.
However some amendments were removed from the plan or changed.

The HEAL grant was one item removed as well as an order establishing low-income neighborhoods.

The HEAL grant is geared at community health and standard of life changes and upgrades for the entire community.

“I think it’s government overkill,” said Sherman. The government telling us how to eat is overstepping their boundaries," he said.

A move to change zoning would possibly help Sea-Mar Community Health Center receive future grants if the zone fell under certain criteria, such as low-income.

Planning Manager Denise Lathrop said this was the only reason for the low-income neighborhood establishment as part of the plan.

Thomasson said he didn’t think changes shouldn’t be based on the benefit of a single entity.

“Des Moines is known for low-income housing throughout, and I like it that way,” replied Sherman.