By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
It looks like next fiscal year will be a tight one for the city of Enid. The estimated general fund budget of $41,030,515 is a small 4.42 percent increase over the current year.
Revenue is projected to grow at less than 1 percent, an increase of just 0.38 percent, Finance Director Jerald Gilbert told city commissioners during their meeting Tuesday.
The overall city budget is projected at $178 million, a 22 percent cut, totaling more than $50 million, from the current year.
Starting during the study session Tuesday, Enid organizations came before the commission to request funding for the upcoming year. Several departments will have cuts in funding this year, including the city manager, Gilbert said.
Julie Baird, executive director of Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse, requested $41,000, which is the same amount funded this year. Breaking down the request, $27,000 would be for general operating support, $3,000 for the summer arts program, $10,000 to pay one-half of the annual membership fee for Oklahoma Museum Network and $1,000 to help fund the Hometown July 4th celebration.
Clifford Porter, executive director of Booker T. Washington Community Center, requested $25,000 to assist with day-to-day operations of the facility. Since Wheatheart Nutrition Center closed its site at the center, income has been reduced $13,200, which is a significant amount, he said.
The center plans to remain open longer during the summer and provide supervised activities for older teens, Porter said.
PEGASYS executive director Wendy Quarles asked commissioners for $218,000, an increase from the $185,000 the public-access television station has received the past two years. Quarles told the commission PEGASYS has reduced the money saved up for updating equipment to high definition and spent the funds on operation costs. She said increased funding from the city, PEGASYS’ own fundraising efforts and a donation from Park Avenue Thrift, the television station will be able to save a small amount and rebuild its equipment fund.
In March, PEGASYS had $223,000 in its equipment reserve.
Enid Joint Recreation Triad spokesman Troy Enmeier requested $25,000, the same amount received in the past. Enmeier said the sports programs were self-supporting and only that amount is needed.
Youth and Family Services requested “at least” $7,000 for the fiscal year. Justin Simmons, speaking for the youth agency, said state funds have been disappearing as the state trims its budget, while costs to provide services have increased.
Lindy Chambers, project director of Main Street Enid, requested $37,000, which the organization has received the past three years. She told commissioners Main Street is working with other groups to make Enid better. Among those groups are Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, Enid Regional Development Alliance, downtown Enid merchants, Chisholm Trail Coalition, PEGASYS, Leonardo’s, Enid Symphony and Gaslight Theatre.
Enid Metropolitan Human Services Commission requested $7,000, the same amount as this year.
Enid Convention and Visitors Bureau requested $80,000. Jennifer Kisling, incoming president, said the money is used to help bring people into Enid to visit and live.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program could not send a representative to the meeting Tuesday, but requested $1,200.
Two additional budget sessions, May 27 and 28, are planned.
Tuesday was the first time commissioners have seen the projected budget.
In other action, commissioners denied an appeal by Pinnacle Security for a city solicitor license. City Attorney Andrea Chism said the company and six of its employees were denied a license after a background check.
Chism said the reasons for the denial were:
• Pinnacle has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
• As of the date of denial, 1,165 complaints had been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
• Government action has been taken against Pinnacle on six occasions.
• BBB issued a statement saying Pinnacle is not an accredited business, after the company stated it was on several occasions.
• Twenty three judgments or liens have been filed against Pinnacle in 2010.
• Three applicants falsified their applications, based on city code. One had a 2003 misdemeanor arrest for criminal mischief and domestic simple assault in Utah, the company’s home state.
A background check on another employee revealed a felony conviction for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance in Houston, a 2008 felony arrest in Las Vegas and a 2010 misdemeanor arrest in Wright County, Minn.
A check of one applicant confirmed a long history of alcohol-related arrests and convictions, including convictions for driving under the influence, one of which was aggravated.
Company representative Clint Cushing said there is no doubt the company has some issues. It works nationwide selling security systems and 95 percent of their business is door-to-door. Cushing said the company grew 60 percent last year and is licensed in every state where it does business. Five of six government actions against the company have been resolved, he said. Most involve unlicensed sales people going door-to-door.
Cushing said the company had 110,000 new accounts last year, so the complaints were fewer than 1 percent, he said, and 99 percent of the complaints have been resolved by the company.
Commissioners also approved a resolution allowing for condemnation of property at 30th and Chestnut, if negotiations fail. The city wants to build a new water tower there.
