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Warsaw city councilmen and department heads met Monday evening in city hall to discuss the 2007 proposed department budgets and general fund.
After reviewing each section and hearing reports from all departments, the council agreed to meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in city hall for a reading of budget totals for non-profit agencies seeking funds.
The proposed general fund total for 2007 is $10,970,852 compared to $10,277,591 in 2006.
There were notable increases in the street and police departments' 2007 proposed budgets.
The proposed street department budget is estimated at $2,873,462. Employee benefits for three salaried employees, 30 full-time and 12 to 15 part-time employees and overtime totals $1,298,134.
The proposed street department budget for 2006 was $2,540,003. The increase for 2007 was attributed to $750 salary increases for the street superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrative superintendent and full-time employees each.
The increase also is attributed to the department's request to purchase four 1-ton dump trucks with snow plows at $150,000 and two 3/4-ton pick-ups with snow plows at $50,000, according to Lacy Francis, street department superintendent.
"One of the biggest times of the year the department uses the trucks is during leaf season and some of our trucks are getting aged," Francis said. "That is why we need to increase the amount of trucks."
The police department proposed budget presented by Capt. Perry Hunter is $3,600,822, an increase of $173,048, approximately 5.048 percent over the 2006 budget.
The increase is attributed to $750 salary increases for sworn and civilian employees. Health insurance, Public Employee Retirement Fund, Federal Insurance Contribution Act and pension increases also were a factor.
Hunter said the department's need for newer machinery and equipment such as shotguns has increased.
"We need to replace some of our existing weapons because some of them have been around as long as 25 years and are showing their age," Hunter said.
He said the budget proposal increase includes purchasing three police cars and patrol equipment.
The Oakwood Cemetery budget totaled $474,210, with personal services totaling $352,480. The budget increase is $62,160 from 2006. It includes $7,000 for a new mower and $35,000 for a new 1-ton dump truck with a plow.
"One of our mowers is six years old and our dump truck is 30 years old," said sexton David Shaw. "We try to update our equipment every three to four years and it is time."
The Warsaw fire department proposed budget for 2007 is $2,640,722, an increase of $130,628 over 2006.
The human resources budget is estimated at $95,173 for 2007, up $10,567 from 2006.
Also reported was:
• The mayor's office proposed budget of $107,413, an increase of $3,924.
• The clerk's office proposed budget of $245,631, an increase of $11,215 from the 2006 budget for salary and employee benefit increases.
• The council's $1,013,693 budget includes $17,689 more for salaries and wages and $39,854 for employee benefits.
• The building and planning department proposed 2007 budget is $393,936.
• The parks and recreation budget proposed 2007 budget is $1,579,540.
• The proposed aviation budget for 2007 is $641,495, with $300,695 for personal services.
Other budget estimates were:
• Unsafe building fund - $10,000.
• Parks and recreation non-reverting capital fund - $12,400.
• Motor vehicle highway - $535,558.
• Local roads and street - $200,000.
• Fire department cumulative budget - $185,965.
• General obligation bond - $219,835.
• Fire pension fund - $311,001.
• Police pension fund - $439,661.
• Redevelopment general fund- $28,881.
• Law enforcement continuing education fund- $8,000.
• Cumulative capital development fund - $435,000.
• Redevelopment bond and interest fund - $134,518.
• Redevelopment budget for the northern tax increment financing district - $1,303,792.
• Rainy day fund - $57,000.
• Economic development income tax - $759,000.
Present were Mayor Ernie Wiggins and council members Joe Thallemer, Bob Morrison, Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens, Jerry Patterson and Bill Rhoades.
