(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials have been crunching the numbers in attempts to arrive at an acceptable figure for the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget. Bill Cole, assistant city administrator, says after initial proposals from each city department, the city found itself nearly $600,000 in the red. He reviews the work that has occurred up to this point.
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Cole says the city council has a goal to keep the mil levy at 13.5 percent, which is the same levy for the past four years. Cole says the city’s budget is comprised of 70 percent consisting of personnel and personnel costs, such as salaries, benefits, and insurance. Another 12 percent of the budget is directed toward the purchase of capital equipment, such as fire trucks, police cars, pick up trucks, and etc. He says the city council met with representatives from each department, and was forced to make some tough decisions during the recent budget workshop.
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The city official says they hope to have a positive number, so the city will continue to look at ways of increasing the revenue, or decreasing the expenses. Cole says the city was able to save some money through reorganization and employee retirements.
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Cole says the city council has asked each department to delay vehicle purchases until next year.
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Cole says the city is in the process of purchasing a new fire truck, and he explains the financing has been extended.
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According to Cole, the city operates on a budget that is about $7 million. He says the city council is considering raising some user fees, in order to gain additional revenue.
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The assistant city administrator says the council will continue to review the city budget during the next two council meetings, with the hope of having a hearing scheduled for March 3rd. The public can view the proposed budget. Cole says the city hall and the public library both have a copy available.
