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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2001)
T h e IN D E P E N D E N T , M ay 16, 200 1 Page 9 anks budget approved, but water user revenue is questionable Banks budget committee approved a budget that Mayor Bob Orlowski said should have the city out of debt by the end of the next fiscal year, at their meeting May 10th. Recent ac tions by the city council, contin ued cost saving measures, the proposed addition of $60,000 of water franchise fees and larger than expected property tax revenue all contribute to a positive ending fund balance by June 2002. Council will act Tri-Gity Rural Fire District Abbreviations: EMS, Emergen cy Medical Service; MVA, Mo tor Vehicle Accident APRIL, 2001 April 1 - April 3 - April 5 - April 7 - April 8 - April 13 - April 1 4 - April April April April 16- 17- 18- 19 - April April April April April 20 - 22 - 25 - 27- 29- MVA MVA EMS assist Auto Alarm Illegal Burn EMS Assist MVA (2) Illegal Burn Auto Alarms (3) EMS Assist EMS Assist (2) EMS Assist Power Lines Down Brush Fire EMS Assist EMS Assist MVA EMS Assist EMS Assist EMS Assist MVA MVA (2) EMS Assist (2) <Z> & Specialty Nunesy ¿r Gift Shop OPEN DAILY 10-6 16000 NW Sellers Rd @ Hwy. 26 503-324-6300 on the water fee at a special meeting on May 16. Orlowski said that projected revenues increased from $61.4 million to $66.4 million. The budget he presented has no funds operating in the red and reflects a positive ending fund balance of $44,983 in the gen eral fund, to carry over to the following year. The expected ending deficit for this year is $82,000, a significant reduction from the year’s beginning deficit of $137,000. The city is making a serious effort to “eliminate black holes”, make payroll cohesive and consistent, and ensure that payroll can be tracked across city funds according to Orlows ki. Personnel expenses are shared on a pro rata basis in the general fund, the water fund and the police department since the road department does not have any employees. However, water department employees, who have not pre viously separated out hours worked in each department, have made road repairs. Unfor tunately, this has resulted in higher liability costs since road workers have a high liability cost. Councilor Ryan Birr asked why no liability cost is reflected under the street fund. This year records have been kept and the city may receive a re duction in liability costs reflect ing lower rates for water de partment tasks. Orlowski said he would discuss with the city accountant how to appropriate ly reflect liability costs for street repairs. The city’s healthiest fund, the water fund, includes the $520,000 balance of the loan for water system improve ments, $18,000 for the IWRM water feasibility study, $23,000 to secure an emergency water supply from Quail Valley, and $5,000 to bring the TVID line under the railroad to allow fu ture connection for irrigation. City engineer Dale Merrell said that, due to recent improve ments, most of the city’s water system is less than five years old so the city does not need to budget much for repairs. How ever, $50,000 is budgeted to transfer to the depreciation fund to cover future repairs and improvements. The water fund also includes money for securi ty and enforcement that will be used by the police department. Repayment of the loan for water system improvements will begin in March of next year with a $53,500 first payment. This loan, from the state, func tions like a line of credit for up to the full amount of $520,000. After completion of the project the actual amount of the loan will be determined. It is expect ed that actual costs will be far below the available funds. Fu ture year’s payment amounts Banks City Council has scheduled a special meeting Wednesday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, to continue consideration of a proposal to institute water user fees in an effort to reduce the city’s sub stantial budget deficit. The spe cial meeting was decided upon during the regularly scheduled meeting of May 8. A fee of one-cent for every thousand gallons of water used would generate approximately $60,000 of income for the city at a nominal cost to users. Last month city residents and other water users received a questionnaire with water bills about various options the city is considering. Responses to the question naire indicated a lot of confu sion about the proposed in crease, according to Councilor Gary Coffey. Mayor Bob Or lowski noted that some resi dents even indicated that they would prefer an increase in property tax, a move that would nearly double property taxes in order to generate a like amount of income. Most of the resi dents who responded indicated • Dependability from turf to treetop Depth adjustment wheel makes for easy cutting The police department budget appears to be reduced but is actually increased, due to $26,910 that is included in the water fund budget. The de partment has budgeted im provement in their computer system based on a $98,000 grant they have applied for. Chief Daryl Crandall discussed with the committee the city’s need for reliable police cars. Several adjustment were made to reflect increased gas and utility costs. a preference for the .001/gallon cording to Lucas, might be con sidered a tax rather than a fee. rate. Orlowski said that with con Due to illness, Lucas missed tinued reductions in expenses last month’s discussion of the and other actions to be taken fee and had not been consult by the council he would expect ed in the interim. Orlowski the city to be out of debt by the asked Lucas to provide clarifi end of the next fiscal year, cation on the issue and to pre June 30, 2002. Councilor Teri pare a sample resolution. Due to importance of the is Brandstitr expressed the need for the city to pay back the debt sue Mayor Orlowski asked the as soon as possible. The city audience at the meeting if needs to maximize income eq there was any public comment uitably across the population on this issue. No comments according to Orlowski. Coun were offered. cilor Katie Murdoch continues to be concerned that the mon ey raised by user fees be used to pay the debt and not be The fifth annual Dan Hilger come a long-term source of in Memorial Trap Shoot will be held Saturday, May 19, at come for the city. While it is common for cities 12:00 p.m. at Sunset Park in to charge a franchise fee to util Banks. Hosted by Bighorn Log ities, as Banks does for gas ging and the Sunset Gun Club, and electric utilities, any addi all proceeds from the trap tional fee must be reasonable shoot are donated to the Chil and equitable across utilities dren of Dan Hilger Trust Fund. Among this year’s activities according to city attorney Jim will be fun shoots for all skill Lucas. Current franchise fees are assessed against the utility, levels and a 30 bird draw not the user. The water user backer. Beginners and those fee being discussed by the who haven’t shot for a while, council would be assessed will have a chance to practice P le a s e s e e p a g e 10 against the water user and, ac- Annual H ilger Memorial Shoot Banks ana Manning Ye Olde Merchants Dingheiser FC75Edger ' traffic impact reserve fund. These funds are available only for certain very specific proj ects and the money must be available if a requested project is approved. Orlowski said that the city “must get out of debt and build funds, not borrow.” Banks council meeting on proposed water user fee Q U A L IT Y 25.4 cc engine 12.8 lbs and the term of the loan will be determined after completion of the project. The library fund continues to receive increased reimburse ments from Washington Coun ty due to increased circulation and extended hours. The li brary made some adjustments to even out cash flow and has begun to build up library funds for the future. Plans are to con tinue to increase staffing and open hours. The street and road fund in cludes a $25,000 grant that the city has applied for to allow construction that would bring the sidewalk and curb into dis ability compliance. Wilkes St. is also scheduled for improve ment. 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