Once again it's the changing of the seasons and with autumn comes the changing of a new city budget. The harvest season for funding this year, however, is lower and it's not looking any better for next year. Under the state's shared revenues, Madison will continue to be eroded away by receiving $514,595 less this year than in 1997. Under the state's payment for municipal services, recent news indicated that Madison would receive a $500,000 increase. However, even more recently thereafter, the governor vetoed this and this revenue was lost. Additionally, a large chunk of money will be going to Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center expenditures. In the proposed operating budget, many basic services as well as proposed new projects and plans are being downscaled or eliminated. Twenty-three departments are slated to receive less funding while only 13 will be getting more. With this dismal scenario, here are a few brighter highlights specifically affecting the Tenney-Lapham area: North Baldwin Street will undergo reconstruction. It was prioritized because of the chronic flooding situation which has now been recognized. $5,000 included for landscaping in Tenney Park. "Clean Streets-Clean Lakes" curbside streetsweeping program will continue. There will be no expansion of this program elsewhere in the city. I'm sponsoring a few capital budget amendments which, pending adoption, involve: Funding a cul-de-sac at the parking lot in Tenney Park, which will be a first tangible step taken for the Yahara Parkway project. There will be continuation of a bike path between Johnson Street and the parking lot. A "Main Streets Improvement" fund providing matching grants projects dealing with the aesthetics, beauty and functioning of neighborhoods in pedestrian-oriented public places and thoroughfares. 50% of funding from the city and 50% from a sponsoring group. Establishing public bicycle facilities in neighborhood business districts and other public areas. The operating budget is now, as of this writing, under scrutiny. I'm disturbed about a number of things which have been eliminated and will be looking into further. A couple of the outstanding ones specifically for this neighborhood are cutting back on street lighting along several streets or sections of streets, as well as not painting crosswalk markings at intersections with no traffic lights on side streets off of East Washington Ave. Although the capital budget will be over, the operating budget will be finalized in November. A few dates perhaps of interest are a public hearing of the budget including Board of Estimates recommendations on November 11, and a public hearing on final adoption of the budget with additional council amendments on November 18. Both meetings are at 7:30 p.m. in Room 201, City-County Building. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, you can contact me at district2@council.ci.madison.wi.us or 249-8428.