Spring Break
City plans conservative budget
Joe Astrouski / City Editor
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: News
Anticipating a drop in revenue from the economic downturn, Charleston officials are proposing what they say is a more modest budget for the new fiscal year.
The City Council agreed to release the budget for public review last week.
"It is a balanced budget," said Mayor John Inyart. "It is a conservative budget, estimating that our revenues will take a hit."
That has already happened, said Comptroller Heather Kuykendall.
"Our state-shared revenue ... was an instant hit," Kuykendall said. "In December and January, state income tax (revenues) declined 6.4 percent."
State-shared revenue is funds collected by the state from income, motor fuel and use taxes, Kuykendall said.
She said other revenue sources have not changed, adding that the economy typically takes longer to affect them.
"Our property and sales tax have both been pretty stable," Kuykendall said. "This year was tight ... but next year we expect to be much tighter."
She said individual city departments have been charged with reducing their own spending.
"Our department heads are responsible for their own budget," Kuykendall said. "The city manager mandated not to present anything that hadn't been reduced."
The Charleston Police Department is among those cutting spending, she said.
"We have a replacement program for our police cars," Kuykendall said. "We usually buy three (cars) a year ... this year we bought one."
But Kuykendall said the city also decided not to scrap other projects like the proposed update of the wastewater treatment plant.
"Regardless ... we're hoping to get EPA approval and get started," she said. "We have a full game plan for how to go forward."
Kuykendall also said the city will continue with planned upgrades of streets and sidewalks because the cost of those projects would increase if put off.
The City Council is set to vote on the budget at its April 21 meeting.
The new fiscal year begins May 1.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
The City Council agreed to release the budget for public review last week.
"It is a balanced budget," said Mayor John Inyart. "It is a conservative budget, estimating that our revenues will take a hit."
That has already happened, said Comptroller Heather Kuykendall.
"Our state-shared revenue ... was an instant hit," Kuykendall said. "In December and January, state income tax (revenues) declined 6.4 percent."
State-shared revenue is funds collected by the state from income, motor fuel and use taxes, Kuykendall said.
She said other revenue sources have not changed, adding that the economy typically takes longer to affect them.
"Our property and sales tax have both been pretty stable," Kuykendall said. "This year was tight ... but next year we expect to be much tighter."
She said individual city departments have been charged with reducing their own spending.
"Our department heads are responsible for their own budget," Kuykendall said. "The city manager mandated not to present anything that hadn't been reduced."
The Charleston Police Department is among those cutting spending, she said.
"We have a replacement program for our police cars," Kuykendall said. "We usually buy three (cars) a year ... this year we bought one."
But Kuykendall said the city also decided not to scrap other projects like the proposed update of the wastewater treatment plant.
"Regardless ... we're hoping to get EPA approval and get started," she said. "We have a full game plan for how to go forward."
Kuykendall also said the city will continue with planned upgrades of streets and sidewalks because the cost of those projects would increase if put off.
The City Council is set to vote on the budget at its April 21 meeting.
The new fiscal year begins May 1.
Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.
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