Provo council OK's budget 'rough draft'

Published: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 3:25 p.m. MDT
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PROVO — A proposed $156.8 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year passed Provo City Council scrutiny Tuesday.

In order to balance the city's general fund, more than $1 million will need to be transferred from utility funds.

The proposed general-fund budget balances at $45.3 million, down from last year's adopted $50.9 million budget because of declining sales-tax revenue.

The final 2009-10 budget is slated for council approval June 16, but it could see more changes, officials said.

Councilman Steve Turley called the budget document a "rough draft."

City officials trimmed $1.6 million in operational costs but still came up short in the general fund by more than $1 million. Then the council decided to add its $855,000 list of priorities, described by council financial policy officer Dirk Anderson as mostly studies for projects such as a new community center and revitalizing downtown.

Anderson said he expects to see the council priorities and totals reduced before the budget is adopted.

"This is not a wish list," Councilwoman Sherry Hall Everett said. "It is a product of key strategies. One is to grow revenue to provide services and quality of life and to position the city to compete. It requires an investment."

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Potential changes could involve melding the public works and community development departments to create a more collaborative environment for residents using city services.

The proposed budget has employees paying more for health insurance to meet a $950,000 cost increase, saving the city $245,000. The city is also freezing merit-, cost-of-living and career-series increases, but it is not laying off any employees.

The city could gain roughly $200,000 from a potential power rate increase of 2 percent starting April 1, 2010.

Provo budget highlights

General fund: $45.3 million

Property tax: No increase.

City employees: No layoffs.

City services: No change.

Employee raises: No merit-, cost-of-living or career-track pay increases.

Final public hearing: 7 p.m., June 16, Provo City Council Chambers, 351 W. Center.

E-mail: rodger@desnews.com

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