By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

AH council gets one more look at budget

 

Last updated 11/21/2014 at 10:19am



Budget season for Airway Heights is winding down as the City Council had its third public hearing on the 2015 preliminary budget at its Nov. 17 meeting.

According to Clerk-Treasurer Richard Cook, there were a few recent adjustments to the preliminary budget, including an approximate $50,000 increase to the beginning balance of the current expense fund, as well as a $50,000 increase in expenditures. Cook said he will present the final budget at the Dec. 1 council meeting.

The council also approved an interlocal agreement between the city and the Transportation Benefit District (TBD). Public Works Director Kelly Williquette explained that the city and the TBD are two separate government entities within the same jurisdiction and require an interlocal agreement.

Under the agreement, the TBD will include provisions to the city to support projects. The city will be the recipient and manager for TBD funds, and it will also provide staff and administrative services for the TBD.

“This helps the city and the TBD work together as far as personnel and finances go,” Williquette said.

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance that recommends a zero percent property tax increase, excluding recent construction and state-assessed property adjustments. The ordinance includes an existing $125,000 bond levy.

The council approved resolutions 2014-022 and 2014-023, which suspends transfer of funds from the Current Expense Fund to the Executive Reserve Fund and the Fire Equipment Reserve Fund. They also approved Resolution 2014-024, which authorizes the transfer of $25,000 from the first quarter of real estate excise tax (REET 1) funds into the Current Expense Fund for irrigating parks. Cook said that $25,000 from the second quarter (REET 2) fund will go into the street fund for operation and maintenance.

Following the City Council meeting, there was a TBD meeting where the board of directors held a public hearing for the 2015 TBD budget.

Williquette said he expects $200,000 in the TBD account by the end of 2014 and another $300,000 next year. The expenditures for 2015 are estimated at $56,000 while the ending fund balance will be approximately $444,000.

Williquette said TBD funds go toward repairing the streets in the six-year transportation improvement plan and the capital improvement plan. He added that if the TBD receives Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants the remaining dollars would be used for matching dollars toward more grants.

“The (TBD) monies are used to keep those streets from deteriorating any further,” Williquette said. “We’ll try to maintain those streets and keep them in the best shape we can until we get the money to rebuild or resurface them.”

The board approved the proposed budget following Williquette’s presentation.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/24/2024 21:45