One full-time, one half-time position are also created

By Rachel Beck

Gazette-Times Reporter

The Corvallis City Council unanimously passed a resolution approving a budget of more than $117 million for fiscal year 2009-10 Monday night.

The Council members also approved several budget enhancements after public testimony and council deliberations.

One budget item, $40,000 for the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition to hire a coordinator, was changed into a city position before the night was through. The Council voted to instead direct the money to a staff position in the city manager's office.

The city has a sustainability coordinator now, but the new position would be expanded to coordinate sustainability efforts outside city government as well.

The Council also unanimously approved the creation of a half-time position for bicycle safety and promotion with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Other budget items approved included $30,000 to try to find ways to decrease water usage; $25,000 to potentially create a feasibility report on alternative sewer technologies; and money to turn the former Moose Lodge on Fifth Street into a public restroom.