During a meeting of the Holbrook City Council, council passed and adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 Tentative Budget totaling nearly $14.6 million, which is an increase from the previous fiscal year’s budget of $12 million. Young stated that city employees will receive a raise and that the unfunded liability of the PSPRS Public Safety Personnel Retirement System has been reduced. “Three years ago when I came it was approximately $9.5 million and he’s (City Manager Ted Soltis) got it down to about six and a half million ($6.5 million).” The proposed budget may be examined by the public at Holbrook City Hall, the Holbrook Library and online and www.holbrookaz.gov.
A public hearing on the tentative budget and property tax levy will be held on June 9 at city hall.
Although there was minimal discussion on the budget during the council meeting, City Manager Ted Soltis included an overview within the budget of what is planned for Fiscal Year 2023.
It was noted that as a result of the population decrease reported in the recent decennial census, showing a decrease from 5,089 to 4,858, revenues from the Vehicle License Tax (VLT), Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF), Sales Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), and the State Income Tax (URS) decreased in the last fiscal year. But for FY23 there is a budgeted increase, as the economy is recovering.
Expenditures for wages will rise significantly due to the impact of the state-mandated minimum wage increase and a cost-of-living adjustment as a result, employees are budgeted an across-the-board 6.5% cost-of-living increase.
Soltis stated that positions eliminated include a full-time position at the transfer station. It will remain open for the same number of hours each week but will now be closed on Sundays and Mondays instead of Sundays and Fridays. Two street positions have been eliminated – one through retirement and the other position transferred to parks – and will not be filled with the funds to go towards street repair and maintenance.
An administrative position – community development – will not be funded. Instead, current staff will, once again, conduct code enforcement. Questions related to businesses interested in locating in Holbrook will continue to be fielded by Soltis.
The next phase of the airport upgrade of apron reconstruction has been budgeted. Additionally, an ADOT airport surface treatment grant will be used for maintenance to extend pavement life.
This year the cemetery walls are scheduled for repair and painting. The mausoleum will also have repair work: stucco and marble repair and paint. A dump truck and an excavator are budgeted; this equipment will have a lighter impact than current equipment.
As the Lodgers’ Fund revenues have increased payments to the Navajo County Fair Grounds, Navajo County Historic Society, and the Chamber of Commerce have also been increased–from $44,000 to $50,000 each annually. Additionally, funds have been budgeted to stabilize the Bucket of Blood buildings. According to Soltis, there are no other plans for development of that area at this time.
Soltis noted that grant funds will be used to continue improvements that were initiated last fiscal year. The basketball courts, tennis courts, playground equipment, and skateboard park will be replaced. A new trail and pickleball courts will be added. Furthermore, the swimming pool will be refurbished with new flooring, new paint, pool repair, a new pool cover, and the installation of a new pool water heater.
Additional Public Safety Personnel Retirement System contributions have increased to an annual amount of $600,000 to pay down the debt. According to Soltis, the police department is fully staffed with one vacant position and one retirement coming up.
This year chip and slurry sealing is scheduled. Over the past few years, the city has been preparing for major asphalt road improvements with the purchase of a street sweeper and with crack sealing and potholing. Soltis says they are now at the point where sufficient revenues are available, and roads are prepared to begin chip and slurry sealing.
Per resolution, water, sewer, and sanitation rates will increase by the Consumer Price Index which is budgeted at 6.48% this year. Soltis stated that all three utility departments now balanced without the need to continue subsidizing them from the general fund. A new vacuum truck is budgeted as the old truck is not as reliable due to its age. New radio-read water meters have been budgeted, which will result in decreased meter-read time and decreased staff time, while increasing accuracy; the goal is to replace 20% of the meters per year until all have been replaced.
Revenues are being accumulated for the next significant upgrade phase which will include pipe replacement.
Soltis also claimed to be working with private property owners to clean up their properties through code enforcement.
