Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown continued with the 2020 calendar year budget meetings , Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Council Member Steele was not present.

Highlights of the meeting included:

Mayor Heinrich said as the process goes along, sales tax revenue distribution, concerning allocating to Special Assessments.  He added that with the exception of a grant, that there is no funding mechanism to pay for the First Avenue, “Road Diet,” project.

He added the city needs to budget to replace funds such as from the city’s share of the specials fund, which contains more dollars needed than funds available.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson explained the process of transferring of funds, to balance budgets, including the storm water utility program.

 

A fee to increase is animal impound kennel fees to $25, to cover expenses.

Also proposed is an increase in animal licenses.

 

With state aid distribution, dollars, the state projects a decrease in population, based on projections of the 2020 census. Mayor Heinrich said the figures show Jamestown with only a population of 11,000 adding that the figure needs to be addressed before funds are distributed to the city.  The library, airport and park board receive percentages.

 

With the city fire department, an increase in the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield plan is 10 percent.

An increase is noted in the cost of supplies, along with electricity, and telephone usage.

 

Mayor Heinrich said line items will need to be reviewed for funding, as the budget process continues.  With state equipment purchases, he suggested indicating the state legislators be informed, prior to the legislative session.

 

With the Police Department budget there is a 10-percent increase in insurance costs, and a line item increase in the cost of recruitment of new officers.  No vehicle purchases are expected in 2020.

With Finance and Assessment, City Assessor  Jamison Veil said the Assessor’s Department is understaffed, including staff obtaining property appraisals.

With the Civic Center, Director Pam Fosse said more dollars are being expended on paying overtime to  employees because two full time janitors hours are being over extended, leading to more overtime hours, and the addition of paying more in part time and overtime wages, plus comp time.

Before the end of the meeting, Mayor Heinrich said he will not support deficit spending, and at this point the 2020 General Fund Budget is short of being balanced by between $600,00 and $700,000.

The next city budget meeting is planned for July 16.