Farmington OKs 2014 City Budget

FARMINGTON — The city of Farmington projects to take in almost $2.3 million in 2014 from general revenues, with the majority of the money coming from the local sales tax and county sales tax.

This compares to revenues of $2.2 million in 2013.

The City Council approved the city’s 2014 budget at its Dec. 16 meeting. The 2014 budget is an increase over the 2013 budget by 7.9 percent.

Mayor Ernie Penn said last week that he is OK with the budget.

“We’re having a balanced budget and not dipping into our reserves. I’m optimistic about our growth with the sales tax and new revenue coming in next year from new businesses. It should have a great impact on our revenues, which will be great,” Penn said.

The budget includes a 2 percent cost-of-living raise and 3 percent merit raise for all employees.

Penn said employees have not received a merit raise in several years and the council felt it was time to reward staff for their efforts.

The council also increased the monthly pay for city aldermen and members of the Farmington Planning Commission. Council members will receive a $50 per month increase, from $ 150 per meeting to $ 200 per meeting. Commissioners’ pay will increase from $100 per meeting to $150 per meeting.

The salaries for these positions have not been increased since 2006.

“City council members do a lot of extra work they don’t get paid for,” Penn said. “It’s the same with planning commission members. They do other things besides going to meetings.”

The city attorney’s salary increased 5 percent to $47,250. Salaries for the mayor’s position and city clerk’s position did not go up

Projected revenues in 2014 include $ 1.3 million from the alcohol sales tax, city sales tax and county sales tax revenues, $315,538 from franchise fees, $ 373,000 in county turnback funds, $ 95,000 in state turnback funds and $ 146,000 from other permits and charges, such as business licenses, sports complex fees, building inspection fees, and $ 70,000 from court fines and fees.

The 2014 budget projects to spend $ 2,296,138 from the general fund. Expenditures include $835,114 for the police department, $671,528 for the administrative department, $ 278,062 for the fire department, $216,007 for parks and recreation, $103,950 for district court, $ 94,700 for the building permit department, $73,258 for animal control and $23,519 for the library.

Expenditures in the administration department include $72,000 for building maintenance, supplies and materials, $42,000 for utilities and $128,328 for other expenses, such as legal fees, planning commission and professional services.

The fire department budget includes $30,000 to purchase a new Chevrolet Tahoe for Chief Mark Cunningham. His current vehicle will be used as a second medic truck.

The police department’s budget also includes $64,000 for a new police car and possibly a new truck with four-wheel drive for bad weather.

Penn said he reminded department heads that all equipment purchases will have to be approved by the City Council.

“Even though they put it in their budget, if the council doesn’t feel they can justify the expense for the vehicle they can deny it,” Penn said.

The street department’s 2014 budget is $520,794 and includes $164,000 in salaries and benefits, $250,500 for street and road repairs and $47,000 for street lights. The street fund receives revenues from state turnback funds, city sales tax and street county turnback funds.

The library budget receives money from the city and the Washington County Library System. Its budget for 2014 is $165,870.