Warsaw councilmen and department heads met Tuesday to discuss the 2008 proposed departmental budgets and general fund.
After reviewing each section and hearing reports from departments, the council agreed to meet Monday during the city council meeting at 7 p.m. at city hall for a reading of budget totals for non-profit agencies seeking funds. Proposed budgets for the clerk's and mayor's office and council also will be read during Monday's meeting.
A public hearing for the budget will be during the Sept. 4 Warsaw City Council meeting. The state requires the budget to be adopted by Sept. 30.
The proposed general fund total for 2008 is $11,490,453, compared to $10,970,852 in 2007.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said employees will be given a 3-percent raise after departmental approval.
There were notable increases in the police and street departments' proposed 2008 budget.
The police department proposed budget presented by Capt. Perry Hunter is $3,699,836, an increase of $90,644 (approximately 2.5 percent) over the 2007 budget. The increase is attributed to the department requesting to purchase four police cars and motorcycle equipment, four digital patrol videos and radio equipment.
The department also is requesting an increase in its operating supplies of $10,000 for fuel and a $4,000 increase for ammunition.
"We want to budget more for the potential increases in fuel costs and the price increase in copper for our ammunition," Hunter said.
Hunter said the proposed budget increase also is attributed to the department requesting an additional $10,000 for employee overtime pay for officers who patrol U.S. 30 and the parks after hours.
The proposed street department budget is estimated at $3,114,433.
Employee benefits for three salaried employees, 30 full-time and 12 to 15 part-time employees and overtime totals $1,337,080.
The proposed street department budget for 2007 is $2,873,462.
Street Superintendent Lacy Francis said the increase is attributed to a requested 3 percent pay increase for the street superintendent, assistant superintendent, administrative superintendent and full-time employees. The increase also is attributed to the department requesting to purchase three 1-ton dump trucks with snow plows; two three-fourths-ton pick up trucks with snow plows and a garbage truck. The department is requesting to trade in its old garbage truck.
The park and recreation department proposed budget for 2008 is $1,654,366.
The building and planning department proposed 2008 budget is $454,595. This is a $10,625 increase from the 2007 budget. The budget includes $5,000 in professional services to update the city's comprehensive plan and $10,000 for a beautification tax force for the Greenway project and downtown streetscape.
City Planner Jeremy Skinner is requesting an 8.2 percent salary increase. Skinner's current salary is $42,500 and proposed salary is $46,000.
The Oakwood Cemetery proposed 2008 budget total is $467,568. The budget is down $6,790 from the proposed 2007 budget due to a final backhoe payment due Feb. 15.
The department wants to purchase a $10,000 mower, $15,000 pick-up truck and $4,000 sod cutter.
Also reported was:
n The Warsaw fire department proposed budget for 2008 is $2,727,772, an increase of $87,050 over 2007. The increase is attributed to the department requesting $10,000 in overtime pay for its employees.
The department wants to increase its staff to seven, and with the decrease in volunteer staffing, the need for off-duty personnel at fire scenes has increased, according to Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Rice.
The department also is requesting a 10-percent increase in its operating supplies for an expected increase in fuel expenses and repair and maintenance for a $3,000 increase to replace the departments' rope rescue equipment.
n The human resources budget is estimated at $97,742, up $2,569 from 2007.
n The proposed aviation budget for 2008 is $659,028, with $314,228 for personal services.
Other budget estimates were:
n Unsafe building fund - $10,000.
n Parks and recreation non-reverting capital fund - $15,000.
n Motor vehicle highway - $535,558.
n Local roads and street - $200,000.
n Fire department cumulative budget - $191,965.
n General obligation bond - $220,225.
n Fire pension fund - $292,173.
n Police pension fund - $357,616.
n Redevelopment general fund - $28,881.
n Law enforcement continuing education fund - $15,000.
n Cumulative capital development fund - $770,000.
n Redevelopment bond and interest fund - $815,963.
n Redevelopment budget for the northern tax increment financing district - $1,388.545.
n Rainy day fund - $72,000.
n Riverboat fund - $103,659.
n Economic development income tax - $790,000.
Present were Mayor Ernie Wiggins and council members Joe Thallemer, Bob Morrison, Jeff Grose, Charles Smith, George Clemens, Bill Rhoades and Jerry Patterson.
