Budget approved

The city has given its final approval on the 2009 operating budget.
Next year’s budget estimates the city spending a little more than $1.8 million from general revenue, including $240,000 from reserves to keep the budget balanced.
The utility fund is expected to earn another $2.6 million and the transportation fund is projected to bring in $380,000.
The city generates the majority of its revenue through a combination of sales tax, property tax and other fees, such as utility and court fines.
In a report attached to the budget, city administrator Charles Clark explained the numbers reflect a conservative increase in revenue from 2008, only about 5 percent.
Clark said he hopes to exceed those expectations, even if only slightly, however he would settle for having no decline in revenue.
“(I)f we experience the downturns in sales tax and planning commission and court fees as we have experienced in 2008, we will have depleted a major portion of our reserve funds,” Clark said in the report.
Revenue for the city in 2009 is also not taking into consideration an increase in the number of building permit fees from such projects like Eagles Landing nor utility connect fees, both of which will help pad the budget.
The board of aldermen approved the budget in a 5-1 vote. Alderman Robert Davis was the lone vote against approving the budget as is because of his concerns that the city was spending half its total budget on salaries.
Because of the condition of many roads within the city, and that there are several residential areas taking out NIDs to improve their roads, Davis wanted another look at the 2009 budget to see if there could be more money allotted to street improvements and maintenance.


At a glance

2009 General Revenue - $1,820,550
Expense- $1,820,075
Includes:
• $50,000 for street lighting
• $25,000 for early warning storm sirens
• $11,000 for new copy machine at City Hall
• $2,000 on economic development

2008 General Revenue- $1,736,570
Expense-$1,736,046

2009 Police Department Revenue- $37,750
Expense- $765,000
Includes:
• $8,000 for training including DWI training
• $30,000 for new vehicle





2008 Police Department Revenue- $109,410
Expense- $815,288

-2009 Dispatch Expense- $209,800
2008 Dispatch Expense- $183,915

-2009 Court Revenue- $199,200
Expense- $98,600

2008 Court Revenue- $197,092
Expense- $84,572

-2009 Planning and Zoning
Revenue- $69,600
Expense- $114,100
Includes:



• $40,000 for Community Development Director position

2008 Planning and Zoning Revenue- $60,035
Expense- $56,905

2009 Transportation Revenue- $382,500
Expense- $382,500
Includes:
• spending $40,000 from reserve funds
• $30,000 for a pavement sealing machine (equipment)
• $43,000 for routine street maintenance
• $5,000 for street improvements
• $19,900 reimbursement to general revenue for administration costs
• $22,000 for vehicle fuel

2008 Transportation Revenue- $343,2440
expense- $316,352

2009 Utility Fund Revenue- $2,623,550
Expense- $2,623,050
Includes:
• spending $525,000 from reserve funds
• $28,000 for water and sewer supplies
• $72,000 for water and sewer electric pumps
• $60,000 for vehicles
• $45,000 for vehicle fuel
• $110,000 for lift stations
• $245,000 for capital improvements
• $140,000 for water extensions

2008 Utility Fund Revenue- $2,201,270
Expense- $2,201,093

2009 NID Revenue- $266,120
Expense- $268,250
Includes:
• NID funds were moved out from under the Transportation Fund into its own classification
• spending $12,610 from Osage National reserves
• $225,000 on Osage National Bond

2008 NID Revenue- $341,308
Expense- $258,600