Calling it another layer of bureaucracy, D.C. Council Chairman Linda Cropp on Monday came out against public funding for an Office of Baseball, but a key member of the mayor’s administration said the office would persist with or without legislative support.
The office, which Mayor Anthony Williams established by executive order in May, was devised to coordinate the many groups involved in construction of the Washington Nationals’ $611 million South Capitol Street stadium. But Williams’ request for $750,000 to fund the office met with groans from the council, which had placed a strict cap on construction costs and pledged not to spend one cent of the general fund on the ballpark.
Cropp agreed there might be a need for the executive branch to take on a mediation role, but she said the effort should be undertaken with “existing staff and existing dollars.” She also expressed concern that the office “could become another voice and bureaucracy layer that can cause confusion as to who is in charge.”
Cropp’s comments came during a public hearing on Williams’ proposal to spend $53.4 million — a combination of reserve and surplus funds — on a series of requests from city agencies and struggling nonprofits.
City Administrator Robert Bobb said funding for the Baseball Office is “critical,” but the source is less important. He appeared confident the office would remain in place even if the council kills its seed money.
“We would be willing to work with the council to ensure that the intent of this project is fulfilled through a reprogramming of existing dollars or another funding mechanism,” Bobb said.
Council members were amenable to most of Williams’ requests, many of which were attached in an effort to stave off service interruptions of well-known District nonprofits, cover skyrocketing fuel costs, sustain money-losing D.C. government programs such as the new DC Net telecommunications system, and shore up programs for vulnerable residents.
“For the most part, they are items I think need to be funded,” said Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans.
But an $8 million request for the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration, which Bobb said will help the long-troubled agency avoid receivership, left the council frustrated.
What’s in the $53.4 Million?
» $7.9 million for the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration
» $6 million for the Department of Mental Health
» $2 million for Greater Southeast Community Hospital
» $750,000 for the National Council of Negro Women
» $600,000 for Everybody Wins!
» $250,000 for the Lincoln Theatre
» $200,000 for Special Olympics
