Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Celina approves $38.94M budget
By William Kincaid
CELINA - City council members on Monday unanimously approved the 2012 budget.
The ordinance sets aside $38.94 million for all city accounts and funds. Of the total, $6.53 million is designated for the city's general fund used for operating costs, including the police and fire departments.
The city will start the year with a general fund carryover of $1.165 million.
City administrators slashed more than $1 million from the proposed 2012 budget. One of the significant changes was a $1.18 million reduction to the electric fund, bringing it to $18.05 million.
Mayor Jeff Hazel and safety service director Tom Hitchcock both have stressed that they didn't want any city department to spend more than it takes in this year.
Other appropriations for 2012 include $2.112 million for wastewater; $3.48 million for water; $2.821 million for total debt payments; $784,636 for capital projects; $469,079 for parks and recreation; $182,812 for storm water; $703,912 for street construction, maintenance and repair; $32,050 for state highway improvement; $20,000 for street repair supplies and material; $176,721 for policemen's relief and pension; $225,534 for fireman's relief and pension; $45,000 for indigent driver's alcohol treatment; $1,000 for law enforcement and education; $2,000 for drug enforcement; $200,000 for court computer; $189,253 for downtown revitalization; $25,000 for indigent offender special project; $451,120 for GAC debt retirement; $120,000 for utility deposit; $1.87 million for self-insurance; $21,000 for unclaimed money; and $403,975 for the wastewater bond.
Hazel and Hitchcock have said supplemental appropriations presented to council for new spending - a common practice in past years - will be significantly reduced this year.
Council members on Monday also passed final readings of two ordinances authorizing Hitchcock to seek bids and enter into contracts for city projects, capital equipment, materials and supplies.
One piece of legislation will allow Hitchcock to enter into contracts for wastewater and water treatment chemicals and for labor and equipment for street marking, crack sealing, tree trimming and upgrading of the electric distribution system. The other ordinance will allow him to enter into contracts for vehicles, equipment, software and capital projects.
