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Council readies to present new city budget

Sidney city budgets for 2013-2014 will soon be approved.

The city council met with various city officials earlier this month in lengthy workshops to discuss the Sidney's 2013-14 accounts. At tomorrow's council meeting, the board will confirm final adjustments. After that, city officials plan to publish the budget and to set a hearing to share it with the public on Sept. 10.

"The workshops went very well, but there will still be some adjustments made on Tuesday night," said Sidney city manager Gary Person in an email.

At the Sept. 10 meeting, Person plans to walk through a power point presentation for the public, highlighting expenditures and revenue during the past year.

"Overall we're finishing this budget year financially healthy and looking to accomplish a lot of things in next year's 2013-14 budget that will keep the community moving forward and meeting the goals set forth by the city council and management staff," Person said.

During talks earlier this month, the golf department proposed a budget of more than $2 million to include a new irrigation system line, at the cost of $1.5 million. An electric budget of some $10.8 million was presented, which included some large capital projects, such as a possible new substation, new employees for the department and a remodel of the GIS office.

The parks department's proposed budget earlier this month tallied $1.1 million. Some possible improvements discussed were ball field improvements, equipment replacement, an additional park employee and playground improvements.

City waste water and sewer costs were projected to reach $1.3 million, which would be a $10,000 increase due to capital improvements at the waste water treatment plant. The street department's proposed budget stood at around $8.7 million. The proposed extension of Toledo Street will cost around $6 million alone.

The solid waste and landfill budget was proposed at $1.8 million.

None of the numbers or projects discussed at the workshops earlier this month have been officially approved at this time.

"At present the budget is balanced, but we still have some flexibility to address some additional needs," Person said.

 

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