The city's proposed $10.3 million 1994-95 budget looks much like last year's - a reflection of continued residential and commercial growth.
"The growth requires the city to continue focusing on enhancements to engineering, planning, public safety, public works, fitness center, parks, sewer and water operations," said Carl T. Wanlass, city administrator. "Hopefully we are forming fiscal policy that will prepare the city for the future."Looking ahead, the tentative budget anticipates an increase in property and sales tax revenue, water sales and refuse collection revenue due to new homes and businesses.
Wanlass proposes sewer fees be raised about $2 a month for residential users to offset an increase in amounts charged by the Timpanogos Special Service District. There will also be a property tax hike because of a voter-approved bond to build the fitness center. Wanlass estimates homeowners will pay about $10 more a year.
Overall, the proposed budget looks much like last year's. The $5.4 million general fund, made up mostly of taxes, is about $130,000 greater than the current budget. Wanlass expects the city to collect about $150,000 more in tax revenue, while revenue from other sources, such as licenses and permits could be down.
Wanlass and Mayor Jess Green presented the budget plan to the five-member City Council Tuesday night.
"In some instances, there were some things I was pretty stingy with this year. In others, quite reasonable," said Green, who's serving his first term as mayor.
It's the council's job to shape the budget for final adoption in June. Council members scheduled a work session for April 28 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The budget also is open for public review.
Budget highlights include:
- A Police Department budget $21,000 less than last year. Wanlass said the decrease is due to the overtime budget not being funded at the same level as the step-increase program.
- Funds for leasing park facilities, including an amphitheater, at the State Developmental Center if an agreement can be worked out.
- Money to hire a city planner in the American Fork Planning Commission budget.
- Funds to upgrade the fitness center speciality programs manager to a full-time position.
- Possible additional revenue at the fitness center from additional programs, sale of merchandise and a day-care center for city employees' children.
- A 2 percent cost-of-living increase for full-time city workers.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Budget: American Fork
General fund: $5.3 million
1993-94
General fund: $5.4 million
1994-95
Where it comes from:
Taxes: $3,200,000
Last year: $3,000,000
Charges for services: $620,000
Last year: $605,000
Intergovernmental revenue: $366,700
Last year: $390,700
Miscellaneous revenue: $286,500
Last year: $288,600
Fees and other charges: $300,600
Last year: $290,600
Licenses and permits: $222,400
Last year: $242,000
Where it goes:
Police: $1,056,000
Last year: $1,077,000
Streets: $653,200
Last year: $635,300
Debt service: $455,600
Last year: $427,000
Sanitation: $398,000
Last year: $395,000
Administration: $389,200
Last year: $388,200
Engineering: $347,000
Last year: $342,800
Parks: $260,000
Last year: $248,300
Tax/fee increases:
Voter-approved property tax increase for fitness center, about $10 a year per homeowner
$2 per month sewer rate increase