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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2007)
vernonia’s voice the city june 2007 03 CityNews... By Scott Laird The city Budget Committee met during the month of May and voted to recommend passage of the proposed balanced budget of $5,070,196 for fiscal year 2007- 08, at its May 23 meeting. The Committee met one more time on May 31 to certify the property tax rate at 5.8163 per thousand of assessed value. The budget will now go before the City Council on June 25 for adoption. The budget committee was made up of four Vernonia citizens, Chair Scott Laird, Darlene McLeod, Cindy Ball, and Bruce McNair, as well as all five members of the City Council. Vice Chair Rebecca McGaugh resigned her position during the May 23 meeting. “Staff exercised frugality and restraint in formulating this budget based on what we understood to be the ser- vice priorities of the community,” stated City Adminis- trator M. R. “Dick” Kline, who is also the City Finan- cial officer. In his message to the budget committee he said, “Vernonia faces a stiff financial challenge working through the 2007-2008 budget process. It is a challenge that will require the cooperation, support, and teamwork of everyone engaging in this process.” One main topic of discussion throughout the budget process was the shortfall of funds from last year’s bud- get. Mr. Kline addressed this issue at the start of the May 31 meeting by presenting the committee with a summary of expenditures and revenues over the last four years for three separate projects. The Vernonia Gateway Project showed a shortfall $3,709; the Com- munity Learning Center showed a short- fall of $108,796; and the ODOT Bike / Pedestrian project showed a shortfall of $327,424; for a total of $439,929. Once the ODOT Bike/Pedestrian project is closed the city expects to receive funds to- taling $175,000 from ODOT, bringing the final shortfall amount to $264, 929. The shortfall will be made up this year through inter-fund loans within the city, which need to be paid back to the lending fund within two years. The committee also discussed the Chart of Accounts that will be used to record finan- cial transactions. Mr. Kline has suggested changing the format for the Chart of Ac- counts, making reporting easier, more ac- curate and more transparent. Mr. Kline stated in his message, “We are confident that the new format will lead to a vast im- provement in reporting, record keeping, and budgeting in the future.” The committee approved changing the Chart of Accounts. The committee made few changes to the proposed bud- get. Included in their recommendations were increases to almost all parks fees, which were suggested by the city parks committee, increasing Park revenues by about $15,000. Fee increases that were recommended included: the day use parking fee from $2 to $4; the yearly day use pass from $20 to $25; the yearly day use fee for seniors from $12 to $15; Anderson Park full hook up camping fee from $16 to $20, and increases to all other camping fees of $2, except for the primitive camping at Vernonia Lake which was left unchanged. One other point of discussion was the General Fund Police budget. Chief Matthew Workman had requested funding to replace two aging vehicles with new vehicle leases, a move intended to reduce maintenance costs, and increase fuel economy. The new vehicles would have included new “Icops” camera technology, a de- vice used to video record Police actions. The request for the new vehicles was not included in the proposed budget that was submitted to the committee. The com- mittee voted 6-3 against purchasing and installing the cameras, at an estimated cost of $12,000 each, in the currently owned vehicles. In Other City News: At the city council meeting held on June 4, Council ap- proved a resolution adopting a new Media Policy; ap- proved a resolution declaring city property, specifically a 1986 Jeep Cherokee, as no longer needed for public use, and authorized sale of that property; approved requests for use of public property during the upcoming KUPL Fishing event and Cycle Oregon visit. Mayor Sally Har- rison appointed Mike Hartzell to the Airport Committee. 503-429-TECH M-F 10-6 SAT 10-5 bits&pcs Grey Dawn Gallery 879 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-2787 Specializing in large format photography from world-renowned artist Christopher Burkett Also available: Bronze Glasswork Woodwork Pottery Custom Framing Computer servicing Upgrades & repairs Troubleshooting Office supplies Cell phones & service Ink & toner refill Mon. – Sat. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm www.greydawngallery.com Featuring the finest in northwest art 886 Bridge Street, Vernonia
