MONROE - A preview of the coming 2011 budget has members of the Finance and Taxation Committee ready - and eager - to quickly crunch some numbers to cut a preliminary property tax increase of almost 15 percent to about 3 percent.
The committee's next meeting on Oct. 13 will bring about 10 of the 13 city department heads to the table to defend their budgets, all in one night. Water and Waste Water Utility supervisors will not be included, because utilities have their own budgets.
"Let's get it done," said Michael Boyce, committee chairman. "And let's make sure the public knows it's invited."
Committee members discussed with City Treasurer Cathy Maurer Wednesday the initial stage of the budget for next year. The initial 2011 budget is about $13.66 million
The preliminary budget summary sheet shows a 14.7-percent increase in property taxes. The total levy to be collected is about $7 million.
"You know there's no way I'm going to vote for that," said Thurston Hanson, an alternate member of the committee.
Committee members are targeting a property tax increase of less than 3 percent, which means they need to eliminate about $725,000 in operating expenses.
"It's unrealistic to go zero percent," said Dan Henke, a committee member, "but we can try to stay under 3 or 2 and a half percent."
The property taxes collected in 2010 totaled $6.1 million, an increase of 1.76 percent from $5.998 million in 2009.
Committee members discussed some high points in the 2011 budget Wednesday:
n A new account for Information Technology with a $60,000 budget has been added. The funds go toward updating the city's computers and network system.
n The city-wide Spring Clean Up program is back in the budget, with about $76,000 for 2011, after disappearing in 2009 when the city had to cut $490,000 in expenses. Whether it stays in the 2011 budget is still a matter the committee wants to consider.
"Citizens want it back, especially senior citizens," Mayor Bill Ross said. "It's a hot issue."
Ross said citizens noted the spring clean up program and keeping taxes in check as their two top issues for the city to maintain.
The $76,000 is the added cost for the program. The amount does not include labor and equipment costs, because the Street Department pulls employees and equipment from other city duties to operate the program, Maurer said.
n Highest on the list for contributing to the tax increase is the street construction capital account.
The Engineering Department submitted its 2011 budget with $826,800 toward its capital account, $726,000 more than 2010.
The department's budget does not include funds for the upcoming 8th and 9th Street project. The city expects to borrow money for its portion of the project, which is partially funded by state grants.
"Al (Gerber, the city's engineering supervisor) wants the city to know it can't keep forgetting street maintenance and construction," Maurer said. "At some point, streets are going to have to be looked at."
Eliminating the $726,000 brings the budget down to an 2.84-percent tax increase.
Maurer noted the preliminary budget does cut some accounts.
n The annual $12,500 to Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry for economic development is gone, with the new city administrator expected to fulfill those duties.
n The Monroe Municipal Airport no longer needs $50,000 a year from the city, because it can stand on its own now, Maurer said.
n The preliminary budget figures include no salary increases for department managers, but does include $95,000 for a city administrator salary and the benefit costs based on that salary.
The city has not yet chosen a city administrator and no salary offers have been negotiated yet.
n The city employee health insurance numbers remain the same as last year.
n The Greenwood Cemetery has a $5,000 increase to $33,000, and the Green County Humane Society has a $3,800 increase to $5,800.
On the revenue side of the budget, Maurer said the state shared revenue is decreasing by $35,000 from last year.
The committee's next meeting on Oct. 13 will bring about 10 of the 13 city department heads to the table to defend their budgets, all in one night. Water and Waste Water Utility supervisors will not be included, because utilities have their own budgets.
"Let's get it done," said Michael Boyce, committee chairman. "And let's make sure the public knows it's invited."
Committee members discussed with City Treasurer Cathy Maurer Wednesday the initial stage of the budget for next year. The initial 2011 budget is about $13.66 million
The preliminary budget summary sheet shows a 14.7-percent increase in property taxes. The total levy to be collected is about $7 million.
"You know there's no way I'm going to vote for that," said Thurston Hanson, an alternate member of the committee.
Committee members are targeting a property tax increase of less than 3 percent, which means they need to eliminate about $725,000 in operating expenses.
"It's unrealistic to go zero percent," said Dan Henke, a committee member, "but we can try to stay under 3 or 2 and a half percent."
The property taxes collected in 2010 totaled $6.1 million, an increase of 1.76 percent from $5.998 million in 2009.
Committee members discussed some high points in the 2011 budget Wednesday:
n A new account for Information Technology with a $60,000 budget has been added. The funds go toward updating the city's computers and network system.
n The city-wide Spring Clean Up program is back in the budget, with about $76,000 for 2011, after disappearing in 2009 when the city had to cut $490,000 in expenses. Whether it stays in the 2011 budget is still a matter the committee wants to consider.
"Citizens want it back, especially senior citizens," Mayor Bill Ross said. "It's a hot issue."
Ross said citizens noted the spring clean up program and keeping taxes in check as their two top issues for the city to maintain.
The $76,000 is the added cost for the program. The amount does not include labor and equipment costs, because the Street Department pulls employees and equipment from other city duties to operate the program, Maurer said.
n Highest on the list for contributing to the tax increase is the street construction capital account.
The Engineering Department submitted its 2011 budget with $826,800 toward its capital account, $726,000 more than 2010.
The department's budget does not include funds for the upcoming 8th and 9th Street project. The city expects to borrow money for its portion of the project, which is partially funded by state grants.
"Al (Gerber, the city's engineering supervisor) wants the city to know it can't keep forgetting street maintenance and construction," Maurer said. "At some point, streets are going to have to be looked at."
Eliminating the $726,000 brings the budget down to an 2.84-percent tax increase.
Maurer noted the preliminary budget does cut some accounts.
n The annual $12,500 to Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry for economic development is gone, with the new city administrator expected to fulfill those duties.
n The Monroe Municipal Airport no longer needs $50,000 a year from the city, because it can stand on its own now, Maurer said.
n The preliminary budget figures include no salary increases for department managers, but does include $95,000 for a city administrator salary and the benefit costs based on that salary.
The city has not yet chosen a city administrator and no salary offers have been negotiated yet.
n The city employee health insurance numbers remain the same as last year.
n The Greenwood Cemetery has a $5,000 increase to $33,000, and the Green County Humane Society has a $3,800 increase to $5,800.
On the revenue side of the budget, Maurer said the state shared revenue is decreasing by $35,000 from last year.