Winder residents, business owners and utility customers have an opportunity Thursday to tell the city’s elected officials what they think about the city’s proposed budget for FY2011.
The 5 p.m. public hearing at the Winder Community Center will be in front of the mayor and council. The budget is scheduled for adoption at the council’s June 8 meeting.
The proposed spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes multiple rate and fee hikes, as well as a newly established fee for environmental services that will appear on property tax bills in December. The amount of that fee has not been set, because a study is under way to determine the amount of “impervious” surface on each parcel. The fee will be based on each parcel’s impervious surface.
Water and sewer rates definitely will rise during the fiscal year. The monthly base rates are increasing on Sept. 1 by seven percent; the volume usage rates are rising by 15 percent. The rate hikes affect all customers, including those who reside or do business outside the city limits and pay significantly higher rates.
The proposed budget notes that due to the economic slowdown and water conservation practices by consumers, the city’s water and sewer sales have declined over the past two fiscal years. A city-commissioned study has recommended five annual rate hikes by FY2015.
The budget also calls for an increase in the monthly service charge for garbage service. Republic Services Inc., which owns the Oak Grove Sanitary Landfill and two local garbage companies with which the city has contracted for services, has raised its rates, according to finance director Leslie Henderson.
GENERAL FUND
The city’s general fund in FY2011 is projected to operate with $8.4 million in revenues, plus another $1.5 million in debt proceeds that will provide $432,000 for building improvements; $500,000 on utility infrastructure; $18,500 for equipment; $415,000 for vehicles, and $70,000 for computers.
About one-third of the general fund’s revenues, along with the money to operate the city’s television station and special facilities such as the Winder Cultural Arts Center, will come from utility profits.
The proposed transfers are to include $1.7 million from the natural gas fund; $1.3 million from the water fund; $156,300 from the solid waste fund; and $12,000 from the broadband fund.
The general fund is projected to spend $2.7 million for the operation of the general government; $3.9 million for the police department; $2 million for the fire department; $1.9 million for public works; $199,000 for the municipal court and probation offices; and $172,200 for housing and development.
The general fund’s debt obligations in the upcoming fiscal year total $417,190 for capital lease payments for a 2005 fire truck, a 2009 fire truck and equipment financing during FY2008 and FY2009.
The city’s utility operations, including the new Cedar Creek wastewater treatment plant, will pay $1.8 million in debt payments during the fiscal year.
Copies of the proposed budget are available for viewing online at www.cityofwinder.com and in person at city hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through June 8.
