calculatorJamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council held another 2016 budget meeting Tuesday afternoon, at City Hall. All members were present.

Arts Center Director, Cyndi Wish requested $15,000 as a match to a grant by the North Dakota Council on the Arts. That’s a $5,000 increase from the 2015 budget.

Funding requested also goes to programs such as Arts in the Schools, and expanding the Artists in Residence program, in the operating budget, and bringing in outside theater groups.

She also requested $22,600 for “Special Projects,” to replace the sidewalks surrounding the Arts Park.

Mayor Andersen said the sidewalk request will have to be considered separately.

Council Member Brubakken, and Mayor Andersen said while other budgets were cut it may not be appropriate to increase the Arts budget.

The council will look at the request at the end of budgeting.

 

Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund requested a six percent increase over 2015 funding for hospitality dollars. He documented the request with expeditures and where the requested funds will be going.

The Capital Construction component amounts to a request of $68.000.

With the Community Service program a budget increase of $500, was made due to an increase in city court cases, with the Community Service program.

With the General Budget, there is a proposed overall five percent increase, including an increase in the Victim/Witness Program, and includes employee salaries cost of living adjustment and step adjustments.

A 4.6% increase in expenses is anticipated in 2016.

Mayor Andersen said the General Fund budget increases by 5 percent over 2015, to balance the budget and keep an appropriate reserve on hand, of 25 percent.

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs says the city’s property tax is proposed to increase by five percent over 2015.

It was recommended that $4,000 be put back in the Police Department’ Special Operations Budget. Chief Edinger also pointed out a very short staff at the Police Department which will need to be addressed in the following year’s budget.

 

With the Equipment Replacement Fund:

An expenditure is anticipated at $443,000, with five items.

With Utilities:

With the Sewer Utility operation, the surplus is anticipated to show a deficit of $84,000.   Fuchs said the city needs to monitor expenditures in the fund more carefully.

With the solid waste utility, there is a large deficit that will be carried over to 2016.  A rate adjustment may be needed to increase revenue.

 At Tuesday meeting, increases included were: $5,000 from JFAA, $4,000 for police Special Operations, and $500 for Community Service.

The prelininary budget will  be  introduced during the September 8, 2015  City Council meeting.   A public hearing and final vote on the budget will be taken at the October 5, 2015  City Council meeting.