By L. Parsons The Winslow City Council continued the budget process last week during their meeting. A tentative budget was approved unanimously in the absence of Councilman Peter Cake. City of Winslow Finance Director Elias Jouen said, “The only changes from the last work session are for the library expansion of $250,000. Also, a line item for the 9-11 Memorial Park as directed by council of $5,000. Everything else is intact as it was presented. This is the tentative budget and the next step is publishing it, and then a formal adoption of the final budget on June 22 after a public hearing on the budget and the tax levy.” The adoption of the tentative budget includes the establishment of the expenditure limitation for the upcoming fiscal year in the amount of $20.1 million. Upon adoption, the council may not raise the expenditure limit. The total financial resources available for fiscal year 2022 are $24.4 million. The budgeted expenditures for the year are $27.4 million. This is an increase in budgeted expenses from fiscal year 2021 in the amount of $3,562,798. Total all fund revenues are projected to equal $19.6 million, an increase over last year’s revenues of $4.1 million. Winslow City Manager John Barkley said, “Our city sales tax has been projected to bring in much more than we budgeted for. Going into the current fiscal year, it looks like we will be a couple of hundred thousand dollars the top of our budgeted city sales tax. Leading economic indicators are saying the economy is going to grow upwards of 7% in the coming year so we are in good solid shape to take advantage of that.” Improvements and development continue in and around downtown Winslow, according to City Manager John Barkley. He said, “We would like to thank the Route 66 Association for granting us $21,000 to redo the Route 66 emblem on the corner of Kinsley and Second Street. That will work nicely with the paving of Kinsley Avenue that began this week from First to Third streets and of course, the new restaurant at 108 W. Second St. that will be opening up soon.” The restaurant, to be called Olde Town Grill was also granted a liquor license application during the meeting. The council did adjourn to executive session for the annual evaluation of the performance of the City Manager. No public discussion or action was taken following the session. In other business, the council: * Proclaimed May as National Teacher Appreciation Week and proclaimed May 9-15 as Police Week. * Heard a quarterly report from Recreation Manager Sandra Knight in which she announced the opening of the outdoor pool. She added, “We will be open beginning this week, but we will be at about half capacity so as to be as safe as possible.” * Approved a grant from the Arizona Department of Administration in the amount of $55,958 for funding of ongoing 9-1-1 services. * Approved a contract with NJ Shaum & Son, Inc. in the amount of $152,052 to replace the current street lights in Winslow with LED lights. The project will be funded by a Community Block Development Grant. * Approved a contract extension with Pierce Coleman for continued city attorney services provided by Trish Stuhan. Compensation in the amount of $10,500 will be paid to the firm monthly until June 30, 2023. * Approved a three-year rental agreement with NACOG (Northern Arizona Council on Governments) for use of the building at 300 Airport Road for Headstart services in the amount of $1 per month. * Approved city assistance to the not-for-profit group, The Cherry Bombs for use of city water and traffic control during a community picnic on Saturday, June 26. The council approved the request in a 3-1 vote with Councilmember Jim MacLean entering a no vote. * The next meeting of the Winslow City Council will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, in the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second Street.
