Esther Cho
esther.cho@lakesunonline.com
Overall, the city of Camdenton’s 2009-10 budget is expected to be one that focuses on fiscal responsibility and the maintenance of infrastructure and city services, according to city leaders.
Projected revenue for Camdenton’s 2009-2010 budget is $5,007,211 and the city has allocated $5,288,960 in expenses.
City administrator Brenda Colter explained that money in the carry over balance can be used to accomplish capital projects that are budgeted for.
With revenue exceeding expenditures in most funds, Colter said they expect the leftover amounts to be sufficient enough to cover the predicted expenses.
While the city doesn’t have the actual expenditure for the 2008-09 budget since the fiscal year doesn’t end until June 30, Colter said they don’t expect it to exceed the projected amount of $6,171,000, which included $558,000 in airport grant money.
No grant money was included in this year’s budget yet, but Colter said there might be funds available later.
Colter said that due to the economy, the board has decided to have a fiscally responsible approach with budgeting.
Areas that are important for the city’s infrastructure and city services were all taken into consideration, Colter said.
Some expenses that went into infrastructure include:
• $245,000 for Niangua/Walnut water and sewer main improvements;
• $100,000 for Ballfield makeover Phase I for the baseball field;
• $40,000 for Phase I of the City Comprehensive Plan;
• $100,000 for improvements to the sewer treatment plant lagoon as mandated by DNR;
• $30,000 to purchase additional remote water read meters to complete on billing cycle of the city;
• $242,000 set aside for the Recreational Center Fund.
The projected revenue from sales tax remained the same as last year at $1.5 million. Colter said the city doesn’t anticipate a decrease in sales tax revenue, and they have seen a slight increase.
While there were cutbacks with some administrative salaries, a 50 cent pay increase was added and approved by the Board of Aldermen.
The 2009-10 budget, which runs from July 1-June 30, was approved June 16 during a city hall meeting.
