PEA RIDGE — The city’s budget is anticipated to increase by 8.3 percent for the coming year from $5,112,245 for 2011 to $5,538,825 for 2012.
City Council members and city department heads met Monday afternoon for a Committee of the Whole discussion about the 2012 budget. The budget will be presented at the regular Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Because of the 2010 census results, several costs, as well as income, increased as the city’s population rose to 4,794 because some expenses are figured on a per capita basis, Mayor Jackie Crabtree explained to council members.
The city’s share of employer’s tax increased from $1,500 to $3,500, with the unemployment tax for the Police Department increasing from $2,500 to $8,400.
“Everybody’s taxes went up, not just that department,” Sandy Button, city recorder/treasurer, said, explaining that some former employees drew unemployment and that causes the increase.
The library budget increased dramatically, from $28,430 to $40,800, because of the anticipated move to a new, larger building.
Councilman Steve Guthrie asked if there would be a need for more employees, to which librarian Peggy Maddox replied that she hopedto fill the need with volunteer help, but she needed more space to work at a computer than she has in the current library, to allow another person to record necessary information.
“What about an iPad,” asked council woman Nadine Telgemeier.
The mayor said there had been donations from Arvest to purchase computers for the children’s area and the city is working on getting grant money for more. He said Crystal Bridges donated shelves and tables from the old Massey Building site to the library for the children’s area.
“It’s a work in progress,” Crabtree said.
Maddox said it would be six to eight months before the library moves.
State turnback to the Street Department increased because of the population increase. Street superintendent Nathan See said he is looking at the needs to prioritize which streets need work first.
The regular Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in City Hall and is open to the public.
News, Pages 1 on 11/09/2011