Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Budget Committee met Thursday afternoon at City Hall, working on the 2021 budget. Council Member Buchanan joined by phone.  City Administrator, Sarah Hellekson was present.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich  asked Ms. Hellekcson to review changes to the preliminary  2021 budget draft.

Highlights included:

The Preliminary General Fund Budget is at $1.3 million. She reported on the transfers from utilities, and the  City Sales Tax Fund.

General Property Taxes amount to 94.8 million at $48.700 per mill.

The fund was reduced by 3-mills and transferred to another fund.

The Coal Conversion Tax  income was reduced slightly.

The Highway Tax Distribution is projected at 897,000.

State Aid Distribution is based on Census.

City Fire Department and City Police Department are under projected expenditures.

Municipal Court remote viewing equipment was added to the budget.

Central Valley Health District request is unchanged.

The City Street Department request was slightly decreased.

She said at the end of the 2021 budget period the General Fund expenditures are down by $448,000, putting the General Fund  at $1.1 million. Mayor Heinrich said the budget balance needs to be $3-million.  Maintaining the Reserve Fund is critical, when looking ahead to future budgets.  He pointed out that to balance the 2021 funds have had to be tranfered into the General Fund from other budgets.

Recent changes in the Group Health Insurance Fund, and General Equipment Replacement Fund was explained, including about $500,000 for a vactor truck, that Mayor Heinrich said he was not aware of.

The City Sales Tax budget is balanced, due to internet sales tax revenues.  Mayor Heinrich said the funds need to be reviewed and discussed on the intent of the usage.

The City Motel and Restaurant taxes were down so far this year, stemming from reduced travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.  Projections for the 2021 budget are not known at this time, which Jamestown Tourism receives a percentage for their budget.

The City Civic Center is expected to budget $250,000 less in 2021.

The Storm Water Utility Fund monthly fee will go from $3 to $4 per month amounting to an increase in funds of $57,000 in 2021.

The preliminary budget to be approved will be sent to the county.  The budget can be decreased but not increased, once approved.  If the 2021 budget is not approved, the 2020 budget would remain in effect.

The Council Committee voted to send this budget to the August City Council meeting.

Thursday’s meeting was shown live on CSi 67.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67.