Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw's 1998 budget process, which won't be finished until next winter, began Tuesday as the city council reviewed individual budgets proposed by city departments.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins allotted 10 minutes for each department head to present preliminary budget figures and for the council's questions and comments.
Most of the proposed budgets were comparable to last year's, with increases mainly in salaries and wages for city personnel.
Proposed budgets by department were: streets and public works, $1.68 million; police, $2.53 million; fire, $1.43 million; parks and recreation, $1.71 million; airport, $387,338; cemetery, $334,331; mayor, $83,165; clerk-treasurer, $153,130; council, $717,650.
The budgets now go to the clerk-treasurer's office, who will complete paperwork on each budget and advertise the proposed budgets. Another public hearing will be held by Sept. 10, with final adoption by the city council scheduled by Sept. 20.
The state tax board will come to Warsaw for a hearing in mid to late fall, then the final certification of rates and levies will be issued by the state board of tax commissioners in January 1998.
