$3.9M operating budget proposed

The proposed budget includes employee raises ranging from 2.5 percent to 4 percent.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Mayor Daniel C. Mamula's proposed 2006 general operating budget is $3,885,448, some $272,000 higher than actual 2005 expenditures as of December 2005.
Major components of the general fund are wages and benefits for the police and fire departments and administrative personnel.
Mamula presented his budget at a meeting of council's Finance and Legislative Committee Wednesday.
The mayor said the budget, which must be finalized by the end of the month, includes employee raises in negotiated contracts with fire and police personnel and civilian police dispatchers. He proposed pay increases of 4 percent for full-time positions that did not receive an increase in 2005; 3 percent for part-time clerks; and 2.5 percent for full-time employees in the waste and street departments who did receive pay increases in 2005.
Mamula said he used a conservative estimate of receipts to prepare the 2006 budget, which he said appropriates some $55,000 less than estimated receipts.
Also, he alerted council that the Sewage Disposal Operating receipts are not keeping pace with expenses.
"The administration is working on a plan to address both issues and will be meeting with council's Public Utility Committee in the near future to discuss options," Mamula said.
Councilman-at-large Jerry L. Shields said council would meet again to discuss the budget, possibly after its regular meeting March 8.
City Auditor Tina Morell did not attend Wednesday's meeting. In a letter to council she said she would be available today and Friday to answer any questions that arose.
However, Councilman Mark A. Sandine, 2nd Ward, was critical of Morell's absence. "There is no reason for [Morell] not being here. I find it highly unacceptable," he said.