As we move towards 2016 the city has been working on its
budget. With the economy seeing some
changes for good and bad it is difficult to address all the needs that
exist. That being said the city has
maintained a relatively flat levy for a good number of years, finding economies
where we can. The levy in 2010 was
$1,779,090. All levies from 2011 to 2015
have been less than the levy of 2010.
With the preliminary levy for 2016 the total levy is
$1,798,063. This levy is an increase of
2.22% or a total increase of $39,983 from that of 2015. As the levy is preliminary it can be reduced
but can’t be exceeded. We’re hoping to
find some economies to reduce the levy but it could also go the other way. The most that could be levied is that of the
preliminary levy amount. The final levy
is accomplished in December.
The finances of the city have been something that we have
worked hard to manage. Debt service has
been reduced substantially. This allowed
us to work on road improvements and to address some costs that would have been
accomplished with debt by using cash.
The obvious advantage to this is the cost. The process of getting there allows for some
financial planning and minor interest earnings.
Having accomplished these steps it also provides for some flexibility in
how we are able to operate.
The city council has been respectful of taxpayers in setting
levies in the past and continues to do so however an increase is warranted. Doing more with less is obtainable for a
period of time but at some point the levy has to increase. The levy for 2016 is more than the 2010 levy
but five years of levies between those years saw levies less than the 2010
levy. It has finally come to the point
for a levy that exceeded 2010.
