Total city spending projected to hit $70 million
By Steve Vied, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
According to the budget proposal presented to the
Total spending is expected to outpace total revenues by almost
A big challenge facing the city right now is maintaining new downtown infrastructure, including
With the completion of the
"Starting next year, we will add the convention center to the (maintenance) budget," Parrish said. "We'll have to tighten the screws to look for more revenue."
Other highlights of the 2014-15 budget include:
--Almost
--The single largest city expense in the general fund is salaries, at almost
--The top five general fund revenue sources remain the payroll tax (
"We are blessed to have a very strong economy," Parrish said. "For the last five years, we have been able to be progressive and proactive."
--Almost half of general fund spending supports the police and fire departments.
--Health care costs will increase about
--All city employees are set to receive a 1.5 percent pay increase, matching the
--Arts and social agency funding will total
"This is really the only way to do this," Mayor
--The city pays for vehicle replacement and other capital replacement and upkeep costs from the fleet and facilities replacement fund. Since 1998, city departments pay into the fund for the future replacements of vehicles and equipment and to repair and maintain buildings. The fund is expected to receive
"I can remember struggling to find money," Payne, a former city finance director and city manager, said. "This capital replacement program is a very great thing. ... It makes budgeting so much easier."
First reading of the budget ordinance is set for
Steve Vied, 270-691-7297, [email protected]
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