City’s budget to be unveiled at 7 tonight

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 22, 2002

[08/22/02]Money spent on animal control will more than triple in Vicksburg’s new budget to be unveiled for the public tonight.

Also, the city plans to purchase two new ambulances in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

The proposed budget will be made public beginning at 7 tonight at City Hall Annex on Walnut Street.

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Accountants were still adjusting numbers this morning, but figures Wednesday indicated a $30 million spending plan with no change in tax rates.

“You’re going to see a leaner budget that reflects what is actually going on,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens. “We’re getting rid of all the slush funds.”

The budget that is expected to be approved next month is the second for the administration of Leyens, North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young and South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman. It shows revenue of about $30.2 million, up about $800,000 over this year due to increases in property values inside the municipal limits.

Total spending falls by about $2 million in the plan, largely due to fewer capital projects.

“We’re trying to focus on getting everything completed now,” Leyens said.

In November, the city borrowed $17.5 million by issuing bonds that have funded many projects including work downtown, repaving Mission 66 and Porters Chapel Road and urban renewal.

The bonds add about $2 million per year to the city’s debt repayment schedule and, when issued, it was expected they would result in a tax increase.

Shifting city spending patterns, however, has apparently overcome that need.

Other big-ticket items in the proposed budget include $259,720 for two new ambulances and $359,420 for a joint venture with Warren County to consolidate animal control to one facility.

Officials have been looking at the former U.S. Army Reserve building at City Park that now houses the parks and recreation department but have not inked any deals.

A significant reduction in the proposed budget is a $1 million decrease in the street department. Leyens said city officials will probably approve a contract with a private hauler to collect rubbish, tree limbs and yard waste instead of using city crews.

He said the total cost will be less than what the city spends today by using in-house service but may raise rates for residential garbage collection.

“We’re trying to go ahead and cut all the fat out and reduce the total payroll costs,” Leyens said.

The total personnel costs in the proposed budget is up about $1 million over last year due to salary increases for many city employees. Overall, the city’s budget is up nearly 300 percent during the past nine years.

While city tax rates are expected to be unchanged, Vicksburg and Warren County residents will see an increase on their tax bills in December.

Earlier this year, the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees approved a $62.3 million spending plan, which includes a $1.2 million increase in local funds.

Warren County tax rates are also expected to remain the same.

By law, city and county officials must have their tax rate set by Oct. 1, and boards here usually complete the process in mid-September.

Schools held their budget hearing in June.

Supervisors have not set a date for theirs.

n PROPOSED CITY BUDGET 2002-2003

Dept. Next Year This Year

Admin. $4,284,880 $4,789,100

Legal $476,740 $452,530

TV 23 $237,000 .0

City Clerk. $336,340 $341,310

Accounting $132,310 $137,410

H.R.. $53,790 $63,300

Safety/Health$42,310 .$47,540

Planning. $496,130. $446,790

Info Services$278,260 $207,150

Bldg Maint $631,110 .$757,100

Planning. $354,910. $373,080

Purchasing $35,580. .$32,660

Warehouse.$40,860 $14,090

Police .$5,739,040 .$5,745,120

Traffic. .$308,980 $220,050

Animal Control$794,570 $187,470

Ambulance.$2,373,000 $1,443,630

Fire $5,604,820. $5,710,510

Inspection $532,690 $387,800

Civil Defense. $4,130 $4,130

Public Works $82,020 $113,760

Street $1,576,990. $2,539,180

Waterfront $53,800. $157,800

Com. Service. $296,880 $235,450

Street Cleaning $625,310 $916,830

Right of Way $865,520 $653,570

Cemetery. $428,380 $380,610

Landscaping. .$686,830 $742,160

Health . $197,770 .$191,270

Riverfront Park $78,000. .$63,800

Recreation $1,380,170 $1,344,590

Youth Services $434,730 $248,270

Senior Services $70,520 $77,690

Jackson St. Ctr $272,530 $185,430

Auditorium. .$61,370. $64,040

Main Street. $90,430. $23,470

General $29,958,700 $29,298,700

Capital

improvements $900,000 $3,534,750

Total. .$30,858,700. $32,833,450