Truesdale aldermen allot more money for street, sidewalk upgrades
Water and sewer fees to increase
City Clerk Mary Lou Rainwater said the budget process, which involved her and board members, went well.
"I underestimated our income and overestimated our expenses because it's always hard to know what it'll be," she told board members.She said she took into consideration the rising cost of gas and the economy when she estimated expenditures.
Mayor Ray Gibson said the board worked with the figures and doubled estimated gas expenses.
The biggest expense increase from last year is $238,170 earmarked for streets and sidewalks, up from $70,000 last year.
"The city has been wanting to increase sidewalks for the safety of kids," Rainwater said.
The city set aside $10,000 to build new sidewalks and has applied for a state grant through the National Center for Safe Routes to School to help fund remaining expenses, she said.
The board will find out in November if it received the grant.
Rainwater said several children traverse the city's streets to reach one of five schools in the area.
The budget also includes $11,787 to pay three crossing guards the city already employs to help children reach school safely.
Also out of the street and sidewalk money, the city will add a layer of concrete on Smith Street from Bolm Lane to Laura Street. The project will cost $131,778, Rainwater said.
The city also will concrete South Depot Street and add curbs and gutters from Highway M to South Street for $71,791, Rainwater said. This project was rolled over from last year.
In other expenses, the city budgeted funds to hire another police officer.
Rainwater said board members added the position in response to an increase in calls to the police department.
The budget estimates an exact amount of revenue generated to cover the expenses resulting from the general revenue fund, water department fund, street/motor fuel tax account, debt service, officer's training fund, capital improvement account and water security deposit account.
Additional revenue will come from a 5 percent water tax increase and a 5 percent sewer tax increase, Rainwater said.
The tax translates to a 26-cent increase on residents' minimum water bills, from $5.25 to $5.51, and a 13-cent increase on residents' minimum sewer usage bills, from $2.50 to $2.63.
Rainwater said the increase applies only to the portion of residents' bills that Truesdale charges, not Warrenton.
Budget breakdown
Expenditures
General revenue fund: $1,122,246
Water and sewer fund: $331,105
Street/motor fuel tax account: $35,000
Debt service: $20,577
Officer's training fund: $2,000
Capital improvement fund: $90,000
TOTAL: $1,600,928
Revenue
General revenue fund: $1,122,247
Water and sewer fund: $331,105
Street/motor fuel tax account: $45,737
Debt service: $20,670
Officer's training fund: $2,787
Capital improvement fund: $95,779
TOTAL: $1,618,325
