(CSi)  The City of Jamestown discussed budget issues, Thursday morning at City Hall. Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said, he and City Administrator Sarah Hellekson met Wednesday and reviewed changes to the prelimenary  2021 budget draft, including state funding revenue.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said, state revenue projects won’t be known until July this year, anticipated to be 20 percent lower for the 2021 city budget.  Revenues from permit fees are being estimated at this time.

Expenditures in the Police Department were reviewed, and the Street Department were noted and need to be addressed, relative to income to balance those budgets.  Budget cuts were also discussed.

Police Chief Scott Edinger said recruitment of new officers will mean less overtime pay to current officers in terms of expenditures.

Stutsman County IT Director Josh Smagge reported that IT support dollars that have increased  costs to the city’s expenditure, which have increased by about 30-percent.

With the Public Buildings Site Fund, Mayor Heinrich said not enough funds were provided from the 5-mills allocated. He said transferring Mills from the General Fund to the Public Buildings Site Fund, would be acceptable, to maintain a sufficient balance in the General Fund.  There would be a projected increase in taxes of $200,000 to satisfy the Mill Levy.  Replacing the roof at the Civic Center was discussed and projected costs.

Administrator Hellekson pointed out, with health insurance, expenditures, the city employee share of the costs would not be affected, with the city picking up increases in the premiums, about $19,000, for the upcoming budget.  This would be a one time only provision.

Travel expenses will be held to a minimum,  for necessary attendance at conferences.

With Civic Center expenditures, staff has met to reconfigure the calendar of events to pay workers.  Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse noted that more events are scheduled next year to increase revenues, that will also increase projected concessions income.  She said 2021 projected concession revenues are  at $100,000.  She said the Pride of Dakota event will return in this year, plus a craft show, basketball tournaments and a car show to supplement revenue

With the city fire department budget, new radio purchase  was eliminated, with the police department transferring their radios when it purchases new radios for replacement.

With Municipal Court, equipment purchases were eliminated.

With the Engineering Department budget, the consultant engineering fee will be higher, but not from the General Fund Budget.

The Forestry Department Budget has minor adjustments.

Ordinance recodification was pointed out with a substantial cost, as the process last was in 2012.

With budget dollars, administering Marcy’s Law, City Attorney Leo Ryan pointed out expansion of the law for victims/ witnesses services.  His law firm providing services, at a cost savings to the city.

The committee adjusted property tax revenue, and raised from $3 to $4 in the Storm Water Utility Fund.

These changes will come back to the committee and reviewed again.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67.