Bill to transfer $17 million to cover pope visit advances to Council
The morning hearing lasted less than 10 minutes and no one from the public or the committee asked a question about the costs.
City Council's Appropriations Committee advanced a bill to City Council to internally transfer $17 million to pay for the papal visit this morning.
The city is expected to be reimbursed for $9 million – to cover the Saturday and Sunday papal events and related security - by the World Meeting of Families.
The morning hearing lasted less than 10 minutes and no one from the public or the committee asked a question about the costs.
A breakdown provided by Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhart details expenditures by department. The majority of costs were for police, $9.3 million ($8 million of it overtime) and fire, $4.7 million.
Councilman Wilson Goode Jr., Chair of the committee said he had no concerns about the price tag to tax payers. "I was aware of the cost before the bill was introduced," Goode said. "It was a great moment for the city and a good investment."
Other specific costs detailed included:
- $19,000 to provide temporary short-term accommodations for 200 homeless through the Office of Supportive Housing.
-$56,000 for towing services and fleet fuel
-$1,000 to relocate police bicycles
-$1.3 million for medical supplies and barricades
-$477,000 for increased wireless access through the Office of Innovation Technology.
The full breakdown of costs in the ordinance is available here.
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