Council hears proposed 2019-20 FY budgets
New operating, CIP budgets could be adopted next week
The Bartlesville City Council will hear a presentation on the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-20 operating and Capital Improvement Projects budgets during a workshop meeting set for 7 p.m. tonight (May 28). The meeting will be held at City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave.
The council will begin the meeting in regular session, considering several agenda items including committee appointments, a final plat for the Bison Trails Apartment project, and a change order that will fund additional paving panels to be constructed for pavement rehabilitation projects on Stonewall Drive and on 16th Street after the concrete price came in substantially lower than anticipated.
Following regular session, the council is expected to move to the first floor conference room to convene the workshop portion of the meeting, where CFO/City Clerk/Treasurer Jason Muninger will present the proposed operating budget and Director of Engineering Micah Siemers will present the proposed CIP budget for FY 2019-20.
"There are no major changes or surprises proposed for the FY 2019-20 budget," Muninger said. "We had steady, consistent growth throughout the current fiscal year and expect to close the year (June 30) with a two and a half percent increase over last year. However, we do not foresee any growth in next year's sales tax revenues, so the proposed Sales Tax Estimate for the upcoming year is 'flat," or very conservative, to reflect a lack of increase in projected revenues."
Proposed operating budget
Proposed additions to next year's budget include:
The hiring of two police officers for traffic enforcement focus
"This will put more police officers in our neighborhoods and will result not only in less speeding and increased safety for citizens and motorists, but it will also allow more time for officers to focus on crime reduction and prevention throughout the city," said Police Chief Tracy Roles.
An additional $10,000 for CityRide
"The City currently provides $45,000 annually for CityRide, the city's public transportation service which is operated and managed by Cimarron Public Transit Service," said Community Development Director Lisa Beeman. "Funding for this program hasn't been increased since it began more than a decade ago. If ultimately approved by the City Council this month, we will increase the budget amount for the program to $55,000, which will permit a reduction for citizens using the service for employment purposes from a fare of $3 one way to $1 one way."
Roof grant program
"The roof grant program will include funds to assist qualified applicants with roof replacement costs," said Beeman. "The intent of this program is to help property owners who qualify to repair their homes and continue residing in them rather than allow them to further deteriorate and become subject to the abatement process."
Pay increases for City employees
A 2.5 percent merit increase and 1 percent cost of living adjustment is included in the budget for all eligible City employees.
Proposed CIP budget
The City's Capital Improvement Projects fund is provided through the half-cent sales tax voted on by Bartlesville residents every seven years. Funds in the amount of $3.4 million are available for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Staff has identified and are recommending council approval of projects totaling $3.1 million. Projects and equipment proposed for CIP funding next year are:
$2.2 million for Hillcrest Drive Rehabilitation project
$210,000 for police fleet replacement vehicles
$700,000 for preventative street maintenance
$25,000 for facility and building upgrades
$7,378 to update citywide aerials
No action is scheduled during the workshop meeting tonight. It is anticipated the council will hold a public hearing and consider adoption of the budget during the regularly scheduled meeting on June 3. The new budget goes into effect July 1.
