(CSi)  The Jamestown Budget Committee met Monday afternoon at City Hall.

All members were present.

With the budget in its final form due to be voted on at the October 1 City Council meeting, the committee made up of City Council members, Monday reviewed the preliminary budget.

See proposes budget figures in meeting minutes, Sept 10, 2018

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson presented Draft Six with utility rate adjustments and wage increases.

Ms. Hellickson pointed out line items budgets including liability insurance costs and decreases in those expenditures, along with other departments expenditures.

She said that a five percent transfer in utilities to the General Fund, amounts to an additional $726,000.

Mayor Heinrich said two issues at question at Monday’s meeting were employee raises, and hiring an additional firefighter.

Discussed was a two and half percent step increase for wages.  Deputy City Auditor Jay Sveum suggested a cost a living increase as well.

He suggested a one percent cost of living increase, and two and half step increase.

Mayor Heinrich proposed at two and a half percent step increase, with a one percent cost of living increase.

Council Member Buchanan moved for a two and an half percent  step increase and a two percent cost of living increase, which failed on a voice voted 3-2.

Approved on a 4-1 voice vote was a step increase of two and a half percent and a cost of living increase of one percent.

City Fire Chief Reuther suggested fire fighters receive a cost of living increase, instead of coming back later for a request in raise.

He said an additional firefighter would bring the total to six, the same number as in 2003.

He added that fire inspections have lagged over the past several years.

The council approved unanimously an additional firefighter, at an annual cost of $80,000.

Also recommended for approval were:

Increases in the utility rates for water, sanitary sewer, waste water treatment, residential garbage collection and commercial garbage.

A 24 mill increase in the proposed 2019 budget was approved for recommendation.

Mayor Heinrich has said the budget needs $1.7million in reserves, without having a deficit.

Recommendations from the proposed  budget will go to the October 1, City Council meeting for consideration.

It was noted earlier, that cuts in state funding, means Jamestown will have a total of $886,000 less in  available funding from the state compared to  the past few years.  That includes $386,000 no longer coming from the North Dakota’s property tax subsidy, in addition to $500,000 less in state funding for the 2019 city budget, stemming from a sharp downturn in the gas and oil extraction tax.

In 2018 the city has spent down its General Fund reserves. and about $2-million needs to be in the reserve fund, for the 2019 budget.

Monday’s meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.