City Council members amended the 2012 budget in a special meeting Thursday, Dec. 27, approving the $3,356,356 budget, down from the previously approved $3,518,125 budget approved going into 2012.
“Overall, we were down $300,000 in city general; a few went over, a lot were under,” Sandy Button, city recorder, said.
The Street Department budget increased from $492,500 to $507,800; the Fire Department increased from $247,935 to $407,621; the Library budget increased from $$40,800 to $43,440; City Park decreased from $25,700 to $22,450; and impact fees decreased from $80,000 to $20,000.
Administrative fees in city general reflected a decrease in legal fees from $35,000 to $20,000, an increase in engineering fees from $1,000 to $10,000, a decrease in insurance from $3,500 to $2,000, a decrease in printing and supplies from $12,000 to $9,500, a decrease in building repairs, council/planning fees and disposal service fees. The increase in engineering fees was attributed to fees from John Mack who drew plans for the library, but had also drawn plans for a proposed community center without charging the city.
In the Police Department budget, several line items decreased while LOPFI fees increased from $18,000 to $43,000.
“The biggest increase there was LOPFI and there’s no rhyme or reason; we have to pay what they ask us,” Button said of the stateoperated police and fire retirement system.
In other business, the council:
• Appointed Howard Slinkard as city attorney at $175 per hour the same rate as 2012. Slinkard has served the city for 37 years.
• Approved a resolution approving the mayor to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement for hazardous materials incident response services in Benton County.
• Amended Utility section of code setting a standard for utility poles.