Salem council approves budget
SALEM — The city has some financial protection if needed in its 2009 appropriations.
Council voted Tuesday to approve its full-year budget. The city had been operating on a temporary measure since Jan. 1.
There was no discussion by lawmakers on the appropriations that will total $5.5 million for the entire year.
That’s higher than last year’s $5.3 million general-fund spending.
The city also will continue to use 85 percent of its revenue for general operations and 15 percent for capital improvements. The city normally splits its general fund, with 80 percent of revenue going to the general fund and 20 percent going for capital improvements.
Bret Apple, head of council’s finance committee, said, “There is a little bit of room” to move if the economy dips.
James Armeni, the city auditor, agreed.
Armeni said spending was up this year because of pay increases for police, fire and nonbargaining workers and other routine costs.
If needed, Armeni said, he can tell city offices in October to cut back on spending. He added that he did that at the end of 2008.
“That [tightening spending] could be addressed if that was the situation,” Apple added.
The only question on the spending measure came from Councilman Earl A. Schory, who asked if there was money to pay for a salary for an assistant safety director. There was none, lawmakers said.
Greg Oesch has been given the position, but council has refused to fund it.
Councils can enact full appropriations by Jan. 1 each year, or can approve a three-month spending measure and enact appropriations by April 1.
Schory said Salem approves its appropriations in March to allow any new council members elected every two years to be part of the budgeting process.
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