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advance of action on the recommended City Commission budget amendment, Finance Director John Lege told The Sarasota News Leader. If they waited until the commission makes a decision when it reconvenes on Aug. 18, that would leave a scant six weeks for them to save the money. In addition to the 10 percent savings by depart- ments, the city will use $1.1 million from its "revenue stabilization fund" to balance the budget. That is money put aside in better times to buffer any economic downturn. The city has used funds from that reserve to bal- ance its budgets for the past six years in lieu of raising taxes. However, the expenditure of $1.1 million to plug the hole in the current year's budget means the "revenue stabilization fund" is vir- tually exhausted. It will not be available to help balance next year's spending plan or a budget for any subsequent year. This is the reason the city will turn to a retiree benefit fund to plug next year's gap with $3.9 million. EXPENSES OLD AND NEW While the city's overall budget is $198.9 mil- lion, the majority of that covers so-called "enterprise funds" that pay for themselves with user fees. The biggest example is the city's water and sewer fund. These enterprise funds are separate from the $59 million "general fund," which pays for city departments that do not support them- selves with fees. The largest portion goes to the Sarasota Police Department, which uses about half the general fund monies for opera- tions and salaries. Senior police executives appeared during one budget workshop to support the department's request for $29.5 million. They also came to ask for replacements for eight officers who are leaving the force. A federal grant program called COPS will pay for the replacements, with a few hitches. The civilian investigator for the Narcotics Squad is anticipated to look at local responses if the medical marijuana referendum passes in November. Police are also seeking an additional $500,000 for over- time in the coming fiscal year. The city's Parking Department is again seek- ing a $500,000 "subsidy" to enable its staff to patrol the time-limited parking spaces along streets and operate the city's parking garages. There is no paid parking in the city. The department this year took over the respon- sibility for licensing valets and taxis. Parking Director Mark Lyons said he will be looking to raise the application and license fees in the coming year. He also is seeking an attendant to monitor the new State Street garage. For the record, the City Commission and city manager are not requesting any increases in their budgets. Neighborhood and Development Services is asking for an administrative specialist to han- dle the foreclosed property ordinance now in the works. The fees should more than pay for the position. An assistant city engineer "is my department's greatest need and the city's greatest need" said Tim Litchet, head of that department. City Engineer Alex DavisShaw, he said, has been "swamped" and "overwhelmed." And Sarasota News Leader August 1, 2014 Page 38