Kansas City Mayor Sly James presented his vision for next year's city budget and a lot more.
For basic spending, the mayor's response differed little from the city manager's recommendations. It includes a $7.6 million spending cut for the fire department, but Mayor James did not endorse creating the savings by laying off a hundred firemen. Instead, James would leave the method up to Fire Chief Smokey Dyer.
James’ proposal went beyond a basic one-year spending plan. He proposed a billion dollar program to rebuild the city's aging streets, sidewalks, sewers and water mains.
“Some of the ideas that we're asking for are bold. They're long term,” said James.
The mayor is calling for the sale of $100 million in general obligations bonds a year for ten years to pay for the plan.
Council members are studying his 20-page budget letter, and will meet formally again in two weeks.