That's the amount to run the city in the coming fiscal year. It is higher as $10 million is for river front construction and $4 million is for new police station construction. No tax increase this year. This years budget includes $643,000 for street and sidewalk upgrades, a 19% increase over last year. $275,000 in the budget to tear down the downtown eye sore Sears Building at 17th & Winchester in which the city will place a lien on the property.

 

Also included is $50,000 for recycling and an injection of $400,000 for river front construction due to a change in federal formula funding guidelines.

 

Revenue is expected to remain flat. The city debt is 3.47% of the budget. Most of the debt is on the water plant which was renovated three years ago. The city is required by state law to increase retirement funding an additional $205,000. The city property assessment is $898 million dollars and the property tax collection compliance rate is 98.6%. Some breakdown for the General Fund operating:

 

General Government            $19,740,878 Finance                                     576,305

Public Works                           4,161,957

Planning/Commuity Development491,440

Police                                     4,605,940

Fire                                        5,010,746

Engineering                               156,723

Floodwall operating expense       250,785

Central Park                              577,529

Dawson Pool                              147,060

AK Sports Park                          125,568

Other Parks (recreation)             166,487

 

None of these numbers include the Utility Fund. The city has various contingencies in the event of a downturn in the economy. All would be on the spending side and do not include tax increases.

 

 

 

The city commission recently agreed to purchase a hybrid vehicle for use in the city fleet.

 

What I describe as a trial run, the city will purchase one hybrid vehicle. It is too early to tell if the city will convert more vehicles. Typically, nearly all city vehicles stay in town and can be charged daily. Worth a try and maybe more to follow.

 

City Manager Steve Corbitt has approved a needed update to the city's web site. The cost will be less than half the $23,000 proposed last year and will contain software that will allow for more frequent updates by city staff.

 

At present, the web site contains much information including city ordinances and Minutes from city commission meetings. More update on the city's web site will keep area residents more informed.

 

 

Come enjoy the fun of First Friday tonight starting at 5:00. It'll include the 4th Anniversary of Pendleton Art Gallery and a chalk walk in front of Highlands Museum.

Pictured below is a sample of chalk walk art. For more info,  look here. 

 

 

 

Delta Airlines will expand service from Tri-State Airport to Cincinnati with an additional flight departing at 5:55 PM. This will allow late afternoon connections to west coast, New York, east-bound destinations, and Europe.

 

Allegiant Airlines still has great low fares to three Florida destinations and Myrtle Beach with fares as low as $29. For more info, fly over here.