The City Council has approved a $10.7 million budget and voted to hire a full-time city administrator.
Current budget officer Carl T. Wanlass will take over the day-to-day operations of the city July 1. He will earn $50,000 a year. Wanlass has been associated with American Fork for 17 years in various capacities, including auditor and budget officer.Wanlass will close out his accounting practice with Phelps, Wanlass & Associates.
The hiring of a city administrator is a first for the city. "It's something that's been hashed around for six or eight years," Wanlass said. Previous councils have rejected the idea pushed by Mayor B. Kay Hutchings, who serves part time.
City Recorder Richard Colborn will continue in that capacity and as planning administrator.
The 1991-92 budget includes $2.5 million to build a recreation center. Voters approved a property-tax increase earlier this to pay for the center. The owner of a $75,000 home will pay about $43 more a year in tax.
Budget highlights include:
- Imposing a $400 fee on new development and construction.
- Allocating $56,000 for street improvements.
- Hiring an animal control officer, recreation program director, recreation secretary and recreation center maintenance person.
- Funding $10,000 for the arts council.
- Buying two new police cars, an ambulance and fire truck.
- Purchasing the old post office and adjacent property for $178,000 for future expansion of the library.