Municipal leaders unanimously approved a $26.6 million budget for 2014 and a number of service and rate hikes Tuesday at their last meeting of the year.
City finance director Kathi Moss told council members Tuesday that a majority, more than two-thirds of the $26.6 million budget for 2014, is allocated for city operations, and approximately 20 percent of the budget has been appropriated for capital improvements. Only about $105,000 of the total budget is funded through local property taxes, she added.
Moss also informed city leaders that the 2013 budget was nearly $380,000 over budget, mostly due to increased salaries as the result of a 2013 wage study. The city council voted unanimously to amend the 2013 budget.
The council also approved an array of rate hikes and service fees that go into effect starting Jan. 1. The increased charges are expected to generate nearly $220,000 in total additional revenues, according to city manager Shane Hale.
One of the approved rate hikes was for municipal water service. The council approved a 75-cent per month base rate increase for water to $15.50 per month. The increase is expected to generate more than $45,000 in additional revenues for the city. Consumption charges were also increased slightly, forecasting an additional $75,000 in revenues.
The city council also approved residential and commercial rate hikes for trash, which are projected to generate more than $45,000 in added revenues. In 2014, residential trash rates will increase by $2.25 per month to $18 for once-a-week pickup, 2-yard commercial dumpster rates will rise from $28.25 to $32.25 per month and 3-yard dumpsters rates will surge from $41.25 to $47 per month.
The council also approved multiple fee hikes for the parks and recreation department, Fee increases at the Cortez Recreation Center are projected to generate some $22,000 in added revenues, and rate hikes at the Conquistador Golf Course could also generate an additional $22,000 next year. Officials said current Cortez park and recreation fees are below average when compared to surrounding areas.
The city council also set two Jan. 14th public hearings in regards to repealing and replacing a portion of the land use code to comply with new floodplain management provisions, and to vacating a right-of-way to enable Aaron’s to relocate next door to Safeway.
