During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024, highlighting a slight reduction in funding for the Partners in Prevention (PiP) program. The current budget stands at $627,763, while the proposed budget for the upcoming year is set at $625,567, reflecting a decrease of approximately $2,200.

City officials noted that the budget adjustments were influenced by cost savings from vacancies within the department, which provided an opportunity to maintain funding levels despite the overall reduction. Council members expressed their commitment to supporting youth mentorship programs, emphasizing the importance of PiP's role in the community.

Councilman Connelly acknowledged the efforts of PiP and pledged to become more involved in understanding its operations, while Councilwoman Whig praised the program's impact on youth, sharing her personal experiences with mentorship. Other council members echoed these sentiments, reinforcing their support for the program despite the budgetary constraints.

Ultimately, the council voted to restore the funding for Partners in Prevention to its original requested amount, ensuring continued support for the program. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the next session scheduled for the following morning, where further budget discussions would take place.