Butler City Council will vote to introduce a new version of the 2018 budget at their meeting Thursday that includes revised expected revenue figures.
“I’m saying that this budget, by itself, we will not bring in enough revenues to meet expenses,” Councilman Jeff Smith said during a preliminary meeting on Tuesday. “I think it is better to acknowledge that up front now than what I saw the city go through for four years and I think what you guys went through last year to meet the budget.”
Smith’s analysis estimates that the version of the city’s 2018 budget, that was passed last month, overstates revenue by about $175,000. Areas of largest discrepancy compared to 2017 actual figures include anticipated income from fines administered by police as well as real estate taxes.
Smith’s budget could include raising parking rates to increase income, but it also would reduce or postpone yearly raises for city employees.
Councilman Kenny Bonus is in favor of paying employees what they deserve but he recognizes the value of conservative revenue estimates.
“It makes sense, like I said, on the revenue part. We should deal in the realm of reality. Conservatism has been a theme as well, at least on the revenue side,” he said Tuesday.
Butler City Council is not expected to take action on raising parking rates in the near future but they must vote on the first reading of this revised budget during their meeting Thursday night.
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Butler City Council received an update about downtown street lights as they consider the return of a lighting tax to the level it was in 2017.
According to a report from city engineer Joe Gray, street lights have been an issue for over 10 years. At least two lights have needed to be removed because anchor bolts were loose and they presented a dangerous situation.
There are a wide variety of different pole styles and costs when considering replacements but about 50 poles would be needed to provide the full Main Street area with coverage.
The city currently has about $54,000 in an account above what was needed for electricity in 2017 and that money can be used to pay for other lighting expenses, like street light replacement.
City Council previously passed a version of the 2018 budget that included a 1 mill decrease in the street lighting tax but could choose to return that tax to the 2017 level on Thursday.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
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