By STEPHANIE M. PETERS STAFF WRITER

Monday was all about finances for city aldermen.

For two hours, the board addressed issues ranging from the new budget to internal accounting practices to the creation of a Giorgetti Arena capital fund account before heading into executive session to discuss two pending civil complaints and a labor relation agreement.

In its magnitude, however, the fiscal year 2011 general fund budget proposal from Mayor Christopher Louras was the largest issue placed before the aldermen. They will now have until Dec. 31 to hold committee meetings to review and amend individual portions of the budget before — under the new charter regulations — it is to be published for the voters.

Although it cannot be put into effect this cycle, Board of Aldermen President David Allaire presented the board with language for a charter amendment that would give aldermen the authority to not just cut, but add to individual line items in the budget.

"I think that over last few budgets, it's become very apparent … that it's increasingly difficult for the board to really effect change or policy when reviewing the budget," Allaire said during the meeting.

Allaire's language would require a three-fourths vote, or a supermajority of the board, to add to a line item. He said he felt such a change would "level the playing field a little bit more" in the powers of city government.

Alderman Tom DePoy said he felt the summer's review of the budget was an example of how the board is hamstrung in the existing process.

"Last budget cycle we had some cuts in personnel in Recreation and Parks we weren't happy with … we shaved money elsewhere in the budget, but we weren't allowed to put it back into (recreation)," he said.

The issue will be reviewed in the Charter and Ordinance Committee.

The board also voted to amend the time of the year when the Rutland Redevelopment Authority is credited with its tax revenues from the Special Benefits District. Pending proof of a new procedure that gives the RRA board oversight of its expenses on a regular basis, the RRA will from now on be credited with the totality of its tax revenue from the Special Benefits District at the start of the fiscal year rather than quarterly. It was a request made last week by RRA Chairman Mark Foley Jr. as a way for the organization to better manage its finances and avoid running into a deficit.

In one of the lengthiest discussions of the meeting, the board also authorized the treasurer to create a capital fund account for Giorgetti Arena for any maintenance needs. From the general fund balance, the board also voted to designate $9,500 left over from the account for a regional recreation center as specifically for Giorgetti Arena capital needs.

stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com