Aldermen are apparently satisfied with the final 2009 budget. The document went through its first reading with no objections, discussion or comments from members of the Osage Beach Board of Aldermen.
City officials have taken a conservative approach to the budget
The budget has been the subject of a number of planning meetings over the last several weeks. It has been through several cuts since it was first brought to the aldermen by city staff.
City administrator Nancy Viselli said the city is in solid financial shape. The cuts were made in areas that will not have an impact on city services or major improvement projects.
Alderman and president of the board Steve Kahrs said the final document is manageable.
Kahrs raised a number of concerns when the first budget document was presented to the board. He said the city needed to take a closer look at their spending. He said the city should set the example of being fiscally conservative during tough economic times.
The final step in the budget process will be when the board gives the final approval.
That is expected to happen at the board’s next meeting.
Where the money goes
Expenditures included in the 2009 budget.
• General Fund $6,715,281
• Capital Improvement $2,147,500
• Transportation $7,251,926
• Combined water and sewer $12,900,540
• Ambulance $55,7289
• LC Fine Airport $2,296,184
• Grand Glaize Airport Fund $469,762
• Tax Increment Financing District $2,429,491
TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $34,767,973
What was cut
A look at some of the expenses that were pared down:
•No new employees
•Health insurance for elected officials
•Put on hold purchase of a new ambulance
•Tabled some park improvements
•Cuts to training and travel budgets
By the Numbers:
5 percent - How much revenue declined
$2.8 million - Reserve accounts will remain intact
$100,000 - deficit spending will be less than
Projects included in the 2009 budget:
• Street improvement projects totaling $5,375,845, which includes Passover Road, Low, Lighthouse and Red Bud Roads, Zebra Connector, Cove Road, and upgrading the Dude Ranch Sidewalk/Trail, plus seal, asphalt overlay and striping on several roads.
• $20,000 for streetlights throughout the city, and $295,756 for streetlights on Passover Road.
• $160,000 for a storage building for street equipment.
• Water projects totaling $1,857,500, which includes the Westside Tower, Connecting Water, Highway 42 Parallel Water, El Terra Extension, and several MoDOT mandated projects.
• Sewer projects totaling $3,996,436, which includes Cabana Village, Passover Road Sewer Upgrade, Industrial Drive, Prewitt Point Lift Station, Tan-Tar-A Rehab, Mace Road, Connecting Sewer, Highway 42 Parallel Sewer, plus several MoDOT mandated projects and Lift Station upgrades.
• Sewer Capital Maintenance consisting of replacement of pumps and control panels.
• Park improvements totaling $349,354, which includes concrete steps and dugout repairs at Peanick Park; additional electricity, bleachers, in-ground pitching rubbers, home plates, bases, dugout storage racks, playground equipment installation and access trail construction at Osage Beach City Park.
• Improvements to City Hall, to include stripping and waxing City Hall floors, and resealing and striping the City Hall parking lot.
• Replacement of vehicles: Three (3) vehicles for the Department of Public Safety; a dump truck and a tractor for the Street Department, and a pump truck and service truck for the Sewer Department.
• Computer equipment totaling $24,750 which includes six replacement computers, an INCODE work order module, and other emergency equipment replacement items.
• The Department of Public Safety will purchase additional in-car video systems, along with several radar units.
• The 911 Center will purchase several portable radios.
• Economic Development includes the city’s contribution to the Waste Watchers program, printing and mailing the Direct Connection, the City’s contribution to Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council, as well as funding for the 9th Annual Fall Festival.
• Using grant funding, Lee C. Fine will install a supplemental wind cone and vegetation control rings, as well as install a wildlife fence, and rehab and relocate the rotating beacon. Using City revenues, the terminal building’s roof will be replaced and two electronic security gates will be installed.
• Using grant funding, Grand Glaize will repair cracks on the runway and reseal it, as well as relocate fencing, clear trees and develop land for possible future expansion.
• General Fund Transfers - $210,000 to Ambulance, $63,000 to the Lee C. Fine Airport and $137,000 to the Grand Glaize Airport.
