Library, police, YMCA funding cut in preliminary budget

RED OAK — YMCA funding and staffing requests from the police department and library were denied in a preliminary budget presented to the City Council.

With no major capital expenses, such as a $6 million sewer rehab project in 2011-12, total expenses dropped from $14.2 to $8.5 million.

However, in order to balance the budget, $140,000 in submitted expenses had to be eliminated.

Included in those expenses was a police department request to hire a replacement officer and an additional officer. The replacement officer was included but the additional officer was removed.

The library’s request of an additional $13,000 in part-time salaries was also declined.

After receiving $56,000 in funding last year, the Montgomery County Family YMCA requested $70,000 from the city this year.

The preliminary budget only includes $10,000, which is the correlating figure of increased costs the YMCA accrues to provide city services such as management of the public pool.

However, City Administrator Brad Wright told the Council that amount could increase if voters approve the proposed hotel/motel tax at an upcoming special election.

The tax is expected to generate between $70-80,000, and at least half of that amount must be spent on recreational, tourism and cultural activities.

This year’s budget did include $1.57 million for downtown renovation.

In other expenses:

Park maintenance was reduced from $20,000 to $10,000;

Increased snow removal from $1,000 to $160,000 for snow removal at the airport.

Reducing summer help at the pool from $35,000 each of the last two years to $20,000.

As for revenue, police fines were budgeted at $9,000, up from $6,000 this year. Fines to date though are on pace to exceed $11,000.

The city has also increased grave opening fees to offset a revenue decrease. Fees will increase from $500-$550 for a full burial and $250-$300 for cremations.

Ambulance fees are also projected to increase from $475,000 to $490,000. Currently, the city is on pace to collect more than $494,000.

Jet fuel sales are also projected to increase at the airport from $225,000 to $320,000.