South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Crestwood aldermen give initial approval to 2017 budget

Final approval to be considered Dec. 13
Crestwood aldermen give initial approval to 2017 budget

The Crestwood Board of Aldermen voted last week to give initial approval to the city’s 2017 budget that projects a deficit of nearly $731,000.

The proposed 2017 budget projects total expenditures of $11,360,881 with anticipated revenues of $10,630,001 — a deficit of $730,880. An ending fund balance of $6,912,600 is projected on Dec. 31, 2017.

City Administrator Kris Simpson originally proposed a 2017 budget that projected a deficit totaling $518,766. However, during a subsequent Ways and Means Committee meeting in which all eight aldermen participated, the projected deficit increased by $212,114.

First readings of ordinances for the general fund budget expenditures and the parks and stormwater fund budget expenditures were approved by the Board of Aldermen with by 6-1 votes, with Ward 2 Alderman Justin Charboneau opposed. Ward 3 Alderman Jerry Miguel was absent from the Nov. 22 meeting. Board President Grant Mabie of Ward 3 chaired the meeting in Mayor Gregg Roby’s absence.

First readings of ordinances for the capital improvement fund budget expenditures and the sewer lateral fund budget expenditures were approved with 7-0 votes.

Final approval of the measures will be considered when the board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Government Center, 1 Detjen Drive.

Aldermen voted in December 2015 to adopt a 2016 budget that projected total revenues of $10,707,316 with anticipated expenditures of $11,394,409 — a deficit of $687,093.

With a projected beginning fund balance of $6,940,812 on Jan. 1, an ending fund balance of $6,253,719 initially was projected on Dec. 31, 2016. Current estimates project an ending fund balance of $7,643,479 on Dec. 31, 2016.

As proposed, general fund revenues for 2017 total $7,712,827 with anticipated expenditures of $8,236,913 — a deficit of $524,086. With an estimated beginning fund balance of $4,604,418, an ending fund balance of $4,080,332 is projected.

Aldermen last year adopted a fund-balance policy mandating the city maintain a general fund reserve of no less than 45 percent. The proposed 2017 budget projects a general fund reserve of 49.5 percent.

At the Nov. 9 Ways and Means Committee meeting, aldermen reduced the original deficit in the general fund by $52,489.

At that meeting, the board discussed the impact of the employee pay plan that was implemented this year at a total cost of roughly $151,000.

As originally proposed, the 2017 budget included a 2-percent matrix increase to the plan, which provided 18 employees with raises of over 7 percent this year, according to Miguel.

But aldermen reduced the general fund cost of the pay plan by approving Miguel’s motion to remove the proposed 2-percent matrix adjustment and add a 2-percent raise for employees not receiving a 5-percent step increase, except for new employees hired after July 1 and any employees with an unacceptable performance review.

As proposed for 2017, park and stormwater fund revenues total $1,738,587 with anticipated expenditures of $1,870,768 — a deficit of $132,181. With an estimated beginning balance of $756,552, an ending fund balance of $624,372 is anticipated.

As originally proposed by Simpson, the parks and stormwater budget projected a surplus of $12,422.

Capital projects proposed for the parks and stormwater fund include replacing/repairing the Community Center roof, $80,000, and renovating The Barn Restaurant, $30,000.

Aldermen voted Nov. 9 to reduce $55,000 in proposed improvements to Rayburn Park to $10,000 to remove unsafe playground equipment and add $80,000 for renovating the men’s and women’s locker rooms at the Community Center so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As originally proposed, $25,000 was included to renovate the Community Center kitchen, but aldermen voted to remove the $25,000 for the kitchen and add $150,000 for HVAC repairs at the Community Center.

As proposed, the capital improvement fund anticipates revenues of $1,040,387 with projected expenditures of $1,118,200 — a deficit of $77,813. As originally proposed by Simpson, the parks and stormwater budget projected a surplus of $42,187.

Aldermen added $120,000 to the capital improvement budget to construct a sally port for the Police Department at City Hall and $50,000 for a future sidewalk replacement program.

As proposed, the sewer lateral fund projects total revenues of $138,200 with anticipated expenditures of $135,000 — a surplus of $3,200. With an estimated beginning balance of $263,729, an ending fund balance of $266,929 is projected.

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