The Emporia city commission took a look at the third draft of the 2010 budget during its study session Wednesday morning.
The general fund as it stands will end the 2010 fiscal year with a $108,606 deficit, not including an assumed 2 percent vacancy rate among city positions. The vacancy rate, if it is held throughout the year, will result in a $220,864 savings for the general fund, resulting in a surplus of $112,258 for 2010.
City manager Matt Zimmerman explained that if the vacancy were not approved by the commissioners and included in the budget, capital expenses would have to be removed to balance the budget.
Commissioners stressed that if that 2 percent vacancy were not maintained, it would be Zimmerman’s job to find savings elsewhere.
“We’re not saying we’re going to have a deficit if we don’t get the vacancy,” Zimmerman said. “I understand, the city commission said, ‘You have to find a way to balance the budget. If the vacancies don’t exist, then you have to take steps within the personnel line items to address that.’”
The commissioners parsed all 15 separate funds in the budget in preparation for the approval of the overall budget.
The budget will be up for more discussion at next week’s commission meeting, during which there will be another public hearing for commissioners to gather input from members of the community. The meeting will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the City Commission/Municipal Court Room, 518 Mechanic St.