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.
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