Sunset council wants to avoid property-tax increase
SUNSET — As the Sunset City Council grapples with declining sales-tax revenue, it is searching for ways to trim its budget for 2010 without losing service, cutting jobs or raising property taxes.
It's a tricky proposition, says Sunset Mayor Dan Gotchy.
"Every city is feeling the punch right now," he said.
Already, the city's $2.23 million general fund budget for 2010 is $110,000 leaner than the current budget.
So far, the city is in the midst of a hiring freeze, and no cost-of-living or merit raises will be handed out. A police car and dump truck that originally had been part of the budget are no longer there, said city recorder Susan Hale.
But Sunset still needs to figure out how to make up about $40,000, Hale said.
It has started by cutting costs internally. The annual Sunset Fun Days celebration has been scaled back, but it is still expected to be a great time for residents, Gotchy said. And conference travel for various city employees has been removed from the expenditure side of the budget.
But the city can't really afford to lose any employees, either, Gotchy said, because they are stretched as thinly as possible.
If internal cuts don't work, the council would have to look externally, Gotchy said, meaning a short-term property-tax increase. If the City Council ends up approving a property-tax increase in August, Gotchy said, he would work to scale it back as soon as possible.
"This was a hard year," Gotchy said. "Next year we plan on being OK."
Among the positives that could affect Sunset's bottom line are an end to the recession and development on the western side of Hill Air Force Base at the Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park, which is expected to become an economic boon for Sunset and other surrounding communities.
E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
TWITTER: desnewsdavis
Budget highlights
General fund: $2.23 million
Property tax: Increase possible
City employees: No new
Employee raises: None
Public hearing: August date to be determined
Comments
- George lost in rivalry hatefest 1:33 a.m.
- Paul returns after being out 1:04 a.m.
- Nets finally win 1:04 a.m.
- Olympus downs Box Elder 1:03 a.m.
- Saint Mary's next for Aggies 1:03 a.m.
- Cougars look to bounce back 1:03 a.m.
- Battle goes to PG's Hamson 1:03 a.m.
- Snow hopes to snap bowl game skid 1:03 a.m.
- U.S. gets favorable World Cup draw 1:03 a.m.
- Utah's Wynn healing up 1:03 a.m.
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- 5A high school football All-State
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- Nutty Putty Cave to be sealed today
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
410 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
294 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
237 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
184 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
118 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
118 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
104
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
and they are correct. Good grief.
In the wake of a great, competitive game all people can talk about is Max...
For those who keep saying there are other places where you can go "to...
Boozer is just doing and showing what he has always had, Talent! As long as...
Condolences to the LeBaron family! He was the mission Pres in South Africa...
I've enjoyed reading Dick Harmon's articles through the years. An enduring...
I think we have found our stride. But we need to bring in one more player to...
to make a move until nearer the deadline. You can't get the best player until...
"If this team had an interior Defense for 48 minutes they would contend. "...
What have you done for me lately, Boozer? Well, lately Boozer has been...



You can be the first to comment on this story.