Updated, 3pm Sept. 15 with information on the idea proposed by Councilman Burton.
Update: Despite the extensive public comment and request made by Councilman Elpers to withdraw it, according to finance commitee chairman Ron Beane, the proposal was never formally submitted as an amendment to the budget. It is merely an idea put forth as a potential solution to funding issues made worse by the pandemic.
At issue was an amendment proposed by Fourth Ward Councilman Alex Burton to take a quarter of a million dollars from the local option income tax, transfer it to the police department budget and then transfer it to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Fifth Ward Councilman Justin Elpers had another term for it:
“It’s defunding the police.”
Several local residents spoke out in support of the police, while others gave Burton points for proposing a creative solution to funding issues made worse by the pandemic. The discussion ended this way with an exchange between Elpers, Burton and finance committee chairman Ron Beane.
Elpers: “This is garbage, OK?”
Beane: “That’s great of you to share that. You could have shared that privately.”
Elpers: “I have a question for President Burton on the floor, though. I asked him to withdraw the amendment tonight and he didn’t say anything. Will you withdraw the amendment tonight, Councilman Burton?”
Burton: “No”
The amended finance ordinance could come again at the council’s next meeting in two weeks.
