By MIKE ANTHONY

Executive Editor

A 2012 budget that projects a surplus of nearly $657,000 was adopted last week by the Mehlville Fire Protection District Board of Directors.

Board Treasurer Bonnie Stegman and board Secretary Ed Ryan voted Dec. 28 to approve the district’s 2012 budget.

Board Chairman Aaron Hilmer was not present for the budget vote.

The proposed 2012 budget anticipates revenues totaling $19,203,193 with expenditures of $18,546,280 — a surplus of $656,913. The projected surplus is greater than what was anticipated in the preliminary 2012 budget presented to the board in late September.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Bond attributed the additional projected surplus to:

• A $187,000 decrease in personnel expenses resulting from reductions in personnel.

• A $44,000 decrease in workers’ compensation insurance premiums over the previous estimate.

• A $10,000 decrease in general overhead expenses.

• A $15,000 decrease in professional fee expenses.

• A $20,000 decrease in dispatching expenses.

The 2012 budget transfers $1.2 million to the capital fund from the general fund, including $590,000 for a new pumper and $170,000 for a new ambulance.

In addition, the proposed budget includes 2-percent salary increases for a majority of district employees as part of a three-year compensation plan approved in 2009.

Mehlville’s “blended” tax rate of 69.7 cents is the lowest of any fire protection district in St. Louis County for the sixth consecutive year.