Representatives from Metro Transit and the Madison Public Library, among others, answered questions concerning the proposed 2011 Executive Operating Budget at the Board of Estimates meeting Monday.
Madison Metro General Manager Chuck Kamp said it was encouraging Metro Transit is maintaining services in the proposed budget for 2011 even with the struggling economy.
Ald. Mark Clear, District 19, asked about the $60,000 budgeted for snow removal during the winter months. There is also an additional $9,600 in the budget for snow removal supplies.
Kamp said they are anticipating more snow in 2010 and therefore requested more for services relating to snow removal than in past years.
Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway, District 12, asked Kamp and Madison Metro Transit Finance Manager Wayne Block if there is any interest in the development of mobile applications related to the Madison Metro system. Kamp said Metro Transit wants to have mobile applications available.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, asked the representatives from Metro Transit about the status of their contract with Teamsters Union Local 695.
According to Kamp there is mediation going on between Metro Transit and the union, but he ""can't comment much more than that.""
Ald. Joseph Clausius, District 17, asked about the $425,000 budgeted for advertising for Metro Transit.
Block said they are coming up with other ideas than strict bus advertising and this is why the budget was larger than past years.
Representatives from the Madison Public Library also discussed their proposed operating budget with the board. Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, asked Madison Public Library Director Barb Dimick whether or not they have capable resources with demands increasing over the past year.
Dimick said they do have a demand for computers because many people use them for going online to find jobs, adding the library also uses the computers for teaching various computer-related classes.
Tonight the Board of Estimates will meet again for a special meeting to discuss the 2011 Executive Operating Budgets for agencies such as Fire, Police and Parking Utility.
