Suffolk News-Herald

With little discussion, the Suffolk City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $48.3 million capital budget that includes funding for a new elementary school, library and recreation center.

The council also approved a 10-year, $418 million Capital Improvements Plan.

Highlights of the 2004-2005 budget includes: $4.8 million to complete the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; $3.4 million for limited renovations to Forest Glen, John F. Kennedy and John Yeates middle schools; $1.7 million for a new elementary school in northern Suffolk; $1.2 million for a new library in northern Suffolk; and $1 million for the East Suffolk Recreation Center.

Next year, the city will reduce its debt assumption by $6 million, borrowing $12 million of the $48.3 million capital budget.

That action is &uot;financially prudent and will allow us to continue borrowing in future years,&uot; said Christine Ledford, the city’s finance director.

City Councilman Charles Brown said he believes the city also needs to move ahead on funding the John F. Kennedy Middle School recreation center.

&uot;We’ve been working on that for five years,&uot; Brown said. &uot;It’s time we put a period after it.&uot;