Smaller budget retains services
General fund appropriations are $24,670 more than 2002.
BY MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The city will spend less this year, but Mayor Daniel C. Mamula says services won't be affected.
Last week, city council passed a $6.98 million budget for fiscal 2003, $217,714 less than the budget for fiscal 2002.
The reduction is the result of completion of the Community Housing Improvement Program last year and conservative budgeting for 2003, the mayor explained.
"Despite the reduction," he said, "all service and operational levels are to be maintained. Barring any major unforeseen circumstances, 2003 should be a stable and productive year."
The breakdown
Total general fund appropriations are $3.64 million -- $24,670 more than last year -- and include the salaries of most city employees, including Mamula, who will be paid $34,500, the same as last year.
The auditor will be paid $47,380, up from $45,557 the year before; the law director $30,182, up from $29,021; tax commissioner $36,991, up from $36,266; and safety-services director $47,917, up from $45,648.
Salaries for the chief of police and fire chief are each $47,489, up from $45,232 last year.
Some $167,000 appropriated for municipal court expenses will cover salaries for the judge, $22,200, the same as last year; clerk of court, $19,158, up from $18,600; bailiff, $23,634, up from $23,171; and clerks $47,559, collectively, up from $46,626; plus miscellaneous and operating expenses.
Council appropriated $370,000 for hospitalization insurance, $70,000 more than last year, and $43,986 to pay part-time workers and utility bills at the city park.
The largest expenditures will be in the police and fire departments with appropriations of $856,294 and $512,067 respectively.
kubik@vindy.com