City commissioners heard a number of recommendations for how to balance the general fund of the city’s budget for the 2010 fiscal year during Wednesday morning’s study session.
With sales tax revenues for 2010 projected to be 5 percent less than in 2008, commissioners have a difficult job deciding how to eliminate the resulting $2.2 million deficit.
City manager Matt Zimmerman presented commissioners with a list of options for balancing the budget, the largest proposed cut coming from the elimination of all capital improvement projects not included in the multi-year fund, amounting to almost $1.3 million. Other sizable cuts include eliminating all current vacant positions for the rest of 2009, for a cash carryover of $250,000, and vacant positions for 2010, a $448,000 reduction.
Included in the proposal were cutting the city’s $7,500 in funding for the municipal band, eliminating the $6,500 taxi subsidy, cutting services for the Fourth of July fireworks in the amount of $7,500 and cutting an intern position for $9,096. To view the second draft of the city’s general fund budget including the proposed cuts, go to www.emporia.ws
Zimmerman also proposed adding a line item in the budget that assumes a 2 percent vacancy rate for city positions for the year, amounting to $234,616. Looking at staff vacancies in past years, Zimmerman said it would be safe to assume a number of staff positions would be vacant throughout the year.
In all, Zimmerman’s proposed cuts would bring the deficit to about $13,000.
“... At this point, you are looking at a $2,237,000 deficit,” Zimmerman said. “Now we’re in no way advocating that that be the deficit, that’s simply the process that we go through so that everybody can see what all of our options are.”
Also included in the recommendations were restoring positions that have been vacant. Commissioners discussed hiring a new deputy police chief and a city planner.
The city commission will hold a public hearing regarding the city’s 2010 budget at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Timmerman Elementary School, 2901 Timmerman Drive , to hear the opinions of members of the community.
pizza (anonymous) says...
It just amazes me that they just keep on and on with the fireworks and the municipal band. Those two costs total $15,000 compared with over $2 million deficit. The fireworks and band contribute considerably to the quality of life in Emporia. Every year it is the same old thing. If they are going to balance the budget they sure aren't going to do it with those tiny items. Many, many towns have enough pride to want nice fireworks displays and don't whine about paying for it year after year. Guess Emporia just doesn't remember, or care, what Independence Day represents. Sad.
July 31, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
New city manager would be a great start!
July 31, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
paulkersey (anonymous) says...
Cheaper one anyways..
July 31, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
I really think that the department heads need to go back to there individual budgets and start making some cuts. Another article states that most requested budgets went up!?!
Tough times call for tough measures. They need to be forced to find a way to make the cuts necessary.
July 31, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
huntergirl (anonymous) says...
Hasn't the band taken enough of the cuts? You already cut their budget in half a year or two ago! They are a wonderful group who make Emporia special during the summer. What other event draws over 250 people to a park week after week! While those people are here, whether they are from Emporia or not, they spend money! Come on...we don't need the landscaping by the turnpike, we need community pride!
August 3, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
But, huntergirl, there are those certain people in Emporia that believe that $100,500 worth of landscaping at the highway entrances to the City will attract visitors, tourism and jobs to Emporia !
Which I do not agree with spending that sum of money on extravagance at the present time !
August 3, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Remember those old bunper stickers...."Save the Fairgrounds--Sell the Courthouse.
Maybe its time for this one....."Save the Band--Cut Zimmerman
August 4, 2009 at 5:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )