The Winslow City Council approved the final $25.7 million budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 last week with a 5-2 vote. Mayor Tom McCauley and Councilwoman Judy Howell entered ‘no’ votes in a roll call.

The budget is $2.5 million more than last fiscal year with an additional $1.1 million allocated for capital improvement projects and an additional $454,439 for the Winslow Police Department. That number reflects personnel, utilities and overall operating expenses. McCauley said, “I have been a very vocal advocate for patrol officers with our police department and I would still like to see us put four more boots on the ground.”

The majority of the remaining increase will go toward the Planning, Zoning & Building department in the amount of $657,856 and an additional $166,505 is allocated for the fire department. There is also an estimated decrease of $869,651 in enterprise funds for water, sanitation, wastewater and the airport.

The budget includes a $5.1 million loan from the Water Infrastructure Financial Authority. According to Finance Director Elias Jouen, city sales tax, property tax, shared state tax and bed tax revenues are projected to increase over last year’s numbers. A public hearing was held for the budget prior to the vote with no response from the public. In addition, a public hearing was held on the estimated tax levy with no response from the public.

The current levy rate is 1.38 and if the city should go to the maximum levy of 1.4123 that would trigger the truth and taxation process. The increase would mean an additional $2.79 per $100,000 assessed valuation on a property. Jouen proposed that the city go to the maximum levy amount. “Typically you want to do this because if you miss the opportunity you’re limited to a two percent increase. Our revenues will be impacted if we miss that opportunity to do this incremental increase every year,” said Jouen.

The aggregate amount per $100,000 valuation is currently $138.46, which would increase to $141.23 if approved. Total aggregate increase of funds for the city would be $398,512. An ordinance to adopt the new tax levy will be presented at the next council meeting.

The budget is finalized however, Jouen said, “During the first of the year if there are any changes we can make them in budget revisions, which is a process.” McCauley also expressed the desire to increase the Winslow Arts Council’s budget from $4,500 to $9,000 stating, “The Arts Council is on fire right now I think there are a lot of things that they could be doing if their budget was increased.”

In other business, the council:

Adopted a resolution ordering an election to be held on Nov. 6 to decide whether or not to grant a franchise agreement to UNS Gas, Inc. The utility company will accrue all costs related to the election.

Approved the monthly financial report for May. Citywide revenues totaled $1.5 million with year-to-date revenues at nearly $15 million. Expenditures for the period were $1.8 million, bringing year-to-date expenditures to $18.5 million.

Approved the appointment of Toya Rubi to the Winslow Arts Council.

Approved two special events liquor licenses for Standin’ on the Corner Foundation; the first for a wedding reception to be held at Eagle Pavilion on Sept. 8 and the second for the 20th annual Standin’ on the Corner Festival to be held Sept. 28-29.

* Approved the renewal of a three-year rental agreement with Northern Arizona Council of Governments doing business as the Winslow Head Start Program for the Old Country Club Building located at 300 Airport Road.

*Awarded financial assistance in the amount of $3,000 to the Just Cruis’n Car Club for logistical support of their 24th annual car show on Oct. 5 and 6.

* Awarded financial assistance for the car show in an amount not to exceed $6,000 for waste disposal, sanitation and port-o-lets as well as assistance from the Winslow Police and Fire departments.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Winslow City Council is 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, in the council chambers located at 115 E. Second St.