Council OK’s Baker budget
Property tax increase proposed; BR firm’s boulevard bid accepted
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BAKER — The Baker City Council voted Tuesday to adopt its 2008-09 budget, which includes $7.6 million in general fund revenues.
The unanimous vote followed a public hearing during which Finance Director Arestead Clayton said general fund expenditures are projected to outweigh revenues by about $37,000, but a fund balance surplus will cover the deficit.
Clayton said the city should end the 2007-08 fiscal year with a surplus of $103,000.
The new budget includes upgrading operating software, a new Public Works office, updating the computer and telephone system, and expenditures for the Buffalo Festival.
The city, according to the budget, is banking on the state to help reduce the city’s portion of retirement-fund contributions for the fire and police departments. At present, the city is contributing 12.5 percent and 9.5 percent to the respective funds.
Councilman Fred Russell said he expects new businesses and new residents to pump additional revenues to the city’s coffers.
The city can expect an increase in property taxes if the council passes a ordinance to roll forward its 5.43 millage to a maximum rate of 6.22 mills. The increase was only introduced at the meeting.
Legal advisor Ronald Wall said all properties in the parish, including those in Baker, are up for re-assessment this year, offering an “opportunity to roll the rate forward” without holding an election.
The mayor said no specific figures were available at this time on costs to property owners with the proposed millage increase.
Rideau said he expects the proposed increased tax rate would bring in about $40,000 to the city.
The total property taxes collected last year was $278,000 — “a small amount,” the mayor said.
In other business, the city accepted a $1.2 million bid from Industrial Enterprise of Baton Rouge to construct Ewell Boulevard, a new 1,400-foot thoroughfare from Groom to Jefferson at the city’s newly built fire station.
The city approved an extra $398,000 to Industrial Enterprise’s base bid of $801,000 to fund beautification of the project with plants, planters and a landscaping design.
The unanimous vote followed a public hearing during which Finance Director Arestead Clayton said general fund expenditures are projected to outweigh revenues by about $37,000, but a fund balance surplus will cover the deficit.
Clayton said the city should end the 2007-08 fiscal year with a surplus of $103,000.
The new budget includes upgrading operating software, a new Public Works office, updating the computer and telephone system, and expenditures for the Buffalo Festival.
The city, according to the budget, is banking on the state to help reduce the city’s portion of retirement-fund contributions for the fire and police departments. At present, the city is contributing 12.5 percent and 9.5 percent to the respective funds.
Councilman Fred Russell said he expects new businesses and new residents to pump additional revenues to the city’s coffers.
The city can expect an increase in property taxes if the council passes a ordinance to roll forward its 5.43 millage to a maximum rate of 6.22 mills. The increase was only introduced at the meeting.
Legal advisor Ronald Wall said all properties in the parish, including those in Baker, are up for re-assessment this year, offering an “opportunity to roll the rate forward” without holding an election.
The mayor said no specific figures were available at this time on costs to property owners with the proposed millage increase.
Rideau said he expects the proposed increased tax rate would bring in about $40,000 to the city.
The total property taxes collected last year was $278,000 — “a small amount,” the mayor said.
In other business, the city accepted a $1.2 million bid from Industrial Enterprise of Baton Rouge to construct Ewell Boulevard, a new 1,400-foot thoroughfare from Groom to Jefferson at the city’s newly built fire station.
The city approved an extra $398,000 to Industrial Enterprise’s base bid of $801,000 to fund beautification of the project with plants, planters and a landscaping design.
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