Yes, there is some pain in the 2010 South Milwaukee city budget. But, thanks to the efforts of our administration, staff, department heads and the Finance Committee, things are looking as good as can be expected for next year.
That’s great news for taxpayers.
We had a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the proposed executive budget last week. Among the highlights:
- The overall increase from the 2009 budget to the 2010 executive budget is $291,295, including debt service.
- The executive budget meets the state-imposed levy limit (3 percent) with an increase of approximately 2.95 percent.
- A recommended $250,000 fund transfer from the city’s “non-lapsing fund” will make up more than half of the estimated $400,000-plus budget shortfall we’ve been projecting.
- The rest will primarily come as the city does not fill three open positions — a street department laborer, a public health nurse and an engineering department employee.
- Interest income may actually come in lower than projected, even from a month ago. We are now projecting $100,000 in interest income in 2010, as opposed to $150,000 earlier in the budget process.
- Also driving the initial shortfall were a $106,000 reduction in state shared revenue, a $60,000 increase in the “tipping fee” charged for waste disposal and $50,000 in increased expense for snow and ice removal.
City Administrator Tami Mayzik pointed out — and I agree — that while you should be hesitant to rely on a fund transfer to fill a budget hole, it is warranted in this case. The thought is investment interest rates will not stay this low forever, and once they increase, the lost revenue from those investments will rebound. Let’s hope that is in 2010 and not 2011.
You can check out the proposed 2010 budget out on the city website here. And you still have a chance to have your voice heard on the budget at these upcoming meetings:
- The City Council will hold a budget public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 30.
- The Council will consider adopting the budget at its meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1.
Again, thanks to everyone for their hard work in putting together this difficult budget … and for explaining some of the intricacies to this first-term alderman.
South Milwaukee Blog 