MENTONE – Mentone Town Council held a 2015 budget work session Wednesday night. The 2015 general fund budget is proposed at $441,846, a $37,034 increase over the 2014 budget. The council is recommending a $2,500 salary increase for two police officers and two water utility officers. “I don’t have a problem with raises as long as the budget can afford it,” said Shelly Kreuger, board member. The town marshal’s current salary is $43,490 and would be $45,990; the deputy’s salary of $38,229 would be $40,729; the utilities superintendent’s pay of $39,432 would be $41,932; and the utilities employee salary of $33,432 would be $35,932. Barb Ross, clerk-treasurer, said she would not like a salary increase. Her current salary is $32,694. The council is proposing a 10 percent increase in police insurance from $44,000 to $48,400. Other proposals are to raise the town equipment fund from $2,800 to $3,500 and storm sewers under utility services from $9,500 to $12,000. The new equipment budget proposal is a decrease from $46,226 to $40,000. Law enforcement training budget is proposed to go from $1,800 to $2,000. The local roads and streets budget estimate is $18,200. In professional services, the proposal is $16,000 for construction or improvements of streets and alleys. The motor vehicle highway fund is estimated at $36,900. The proposal is to increase operating supplies from $2,000 to $2,500. The cemetery budget estimate is $10,200. The proposal is $2,000 for tree removal and $1,500 for equipment repair. Also proposed is $1,000 for capital outlays and $2,000 for a fence. The cumulative capital improvement budget proposal is $5,000 and the cumulative capital development budget estimate is $10,200. The county economic development income tax fund is proposed at $62,000, with $20,000 for storm sewers and $40,000 for a new salt and sand storage building. A public hearing for the budget is Sept. 8, and the council will adopt the budget Oct. 6, according to Ross.
