Stacy budget much less than previously expected

By Barbara Brown
The Stacy city council revised its proposed budget again Monday night and significantly reduced its proposed levy.
The council has nearly finished budget talks, although more discussions are planned for Thursday night.
After meeting for several hours whittling away at expenses, the council was nearer to deciding on a proposed total budget of $305,271, down from the previously reported $338,260.
The property tax levy to support that budget would be $89,588.
That constitutes an approximate 10 percent tax rate increase over the 2002 budget.
Included in Monday nightís budget cuts were more than $3,000 for police protection.
The council decided that it would like to see full-time sheriffís department coverage, but that the city could not afford it at the time.
Instead, the council will request 32 hours of coverage per week for a cost of $55,511.
A math error resulted in another $3,000 cut from the maintenance salaries line item.
A previous Post Review article stated that a prior budget workup had included $10,000 in wage increases, but that information was not totally correct.
The increases toward employee line items included those needed for health insurance coverage and cost of living increases.
The council plans to further discuss the budget at its Thursday meeting.
At that time, the council also will discuss the sewer and water budget.
Questions have been raised as to what residents and businesses are charged for water and sewer services.
The council must approve a proposed budget by Sept. 15. After that day, no increases in property taxes can be made, but budget items can be removed or added.

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