The Winslow City Council was presented with the preliminary proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 last week. Finance director Elias Jouen explained the final budget would be adopted in June.
The total revenue expected for this coming fiscal year is $23.8 million, approximately $3 million more than last year. Jouen explained, that over $9.8 million is budgeted as revenue for the general fund for 2018-2019. Approximately 15 percent of that revenue is credited to grants not yet obtained. “We just budget what we think we are going to get in grants, and you’ll see this money reflected on the expenditure side as well.”
Also in the preliminary general fund revenue budget, a $412,000 projected increase in monies from city sales tax and bed tax, a $15,916 increase in property tax revenues, and an $89,141 rise in shared state revenue dollars.
Major expenses to the city this year will include $4.1 million to be spent by the Winslow Police Department. That number reflects personnel, utilities and overall operating expenses. During a call to the public, city council candidate Michelle Pennington said, “I would just like to express my concern in the budget for our police department. I think that we don’t have enough officers right now and I’d like to see some increase in that area.” That sentiment was echoed by business owner Sondra Purcell, “We are concerned that there is not enough money for the police, it is a concern to the citizens out there.”
Administrative costs to the city will also reflect a 50-cent per hour salary increase for all city employees. “We have included an increase for all employees. We feel that employees who make a decent living and can afford to pay their bills are better employees and better citizens,” said Jeun.
Other costs to the city this fiscal year include $2.6 million in capital improvements. Funding for improvements come from the one percent sales tax. According to the City Manager Steve Pauken, the capital improvements plan for 2018-2019 includes slum and blight cleanup, police department parking lot improvement, council chamber improvement; levee maintenance and upgrade, Clear Creek irrigation upgrade, manhole upgrades, airport improvements, streets and sidewalks, curbs and gutters, Route 66 Plaza completion, McHood Park improvement, Eagle Pavillion; Renaissance 6, an Urban Trail System, Urban Forestry projects and bleachers at the little league field.
The entire preliminary budget is available for public viewing at City Hall located at 21 N. Williamson Ave. It can also be seen on the city website, www.winslowaz.gov. The next phase of solidifying the budget will take place at the next city council meeting, which is open to the public. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, in the council chambers located at 115 E. Second Street.
