Centerville proposed budget slightly leaner

CENTERVILLE — Centerville officials are planning a slightly leaner budget for fiscal 2010 with about a 3 percent decrease in the general fund from the current year.

At $8.3 million, the proposed general fund budget draws its largest amounts of revenue from sales and property taxes, followed by franchise taxes.

And the bulk of that money will be spent in the police, public works and general government departments.

Finance director Blaine Lutz said the city has made few cuts to its general fund budgets because department managers tend to operate frugally. But Lutz said he's asked them to hold off making any major purchases until later in the budget year in case cuts have to be made.

Some projects were scaled back, as well as purchases for new city vehicles, because current vehicles are in good shape, he said.

Separate from the city budget is the budget for the Centerville Redevelopment Agency, which has a budget of nearly $12.6 million to be used toward the construction of the Davis Cultural Arts Center.

The proposed budget is available for public review at Centerville City Hall, located at 250 N. Main in Centerville or on the city's Web site at www.centervilleut.net.

An open house for residents to ask questions about the proposed budget will be held June 2 at 6 p.m. Following the open house, a public hearing on the final budget will be held during the City Council meeting starting at 7 p.m.

Budget highlights

Total budget: $12.9 million

General fund: $8.3 million

Property tax: No increase

New employees: One

Employee raises: Merit — 1.5%-2%, COLA — none

Open house: June 2, Centerville City Hall, 6 p.m.

Public hearing: Same date and location, 7 p.m.

— Joseph M. Dougherty