The City Council is currently reviewing the proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, which runs July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. The city's financial condition continues to improve as it has over the past three years.

Operating revenues are projected to outpace expenditures in FY 2009 largely due to an increases in revenues from telecom taxes and court fines.

The city's biggest operating fund, the general fund provides funding for all of the city's basic services. These include police, street maintenance, parks, administration, planning, building inspections, and others. Revenues and transfers in for the general fund are projected to be $15,079,494, while expenditures and transfers out are estimated at $14,615,390, resulting in a surplus of $464,104.

The budget is guided by the principles of maintaining the city's high service levels, being responsive to the needs of residents and businesses, preserving long-term financial stability through sound fiscal management and economic development, and providing for well-planned capital investment in the community to preserve infrastructure and facilities. The objectives set forth in the city's comprehensive plan also guide the budget.

For questions about the budget, contact Daniel Smith, director of finance, at 872-2519 or Mark Perkins, city administrator, at 872-2511.
In addition, you are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting on
June 9 at 7 p.m., where a public hearing concerning the budget will be held.