Ballard: CIB cutback expectations too high-WEB ONLY

The new proposal to rescue the Capital Improvement Board is similar to others brought to the Indiana Legislature, only this one does not include an additional $13 million in spending cuts for the city’s stadiums and conventions – a concept he previously had endorsed.

The CIB had previously announced $10 million in cutbacks to help address its budget troubles.

Earlier this month, Ballard and Gov. Mitch Daniels announced a plan that would merge the stadium agency with the Marion County Building Authority and raise hotel, rental car and admission taxes.

Ballard said Friday his administration “dug deeper” on the numbers and did not think the additional $13 million savings could be achieved immediately. Instead, Ballard endorsed a proposal that already has been passed in the Senate’s version of the state budget that would allow for a $9 million, three-year loan from the state.

“We really appreciate the governor’s help,” he said. “But as we dug deeper into the numbers, we thought we were left a little bit at risk. We don’t want to be back here in 2011 asking for more money.”

Ballard said the stadium agency could cut an additional $2 million for a total of $12 million. The plan also still includes increases in the city’s innkeepers, admissions and auto rental taxes.

In addition, Ballard asked lawmakers to increase the amount of money that would be added to an expansion of the city’s professional sports development area from the $8 million passed by the Senate to $10 million. He also raised another proposal: Allowing the city the power to charge fees at downtown parking garages, which City Controller David Reynolds said could generate between $1 million and $1.5 million for the city each year.