Sean C. Morgan
The City of Sweet Home’s general fund remains essentially the same in next year’s budget as this year.
The general fund is proposed to increase from $2.08 million in 2003-04 to $2.1 million in 2004-05. The budgeted figures show a decrease from 2.4 million the two previous years. The difference is reflected in ending fund balances and cash carryovers coming in $300,000 to $400,000 higher than budgeted.
The proposed 2004-05 budget includes $688,000 in carryover from 2003-04, $330,000 in taxes and $744,000 in franchise fees and other fees. It also includes $199,000 in administrative charges to other city funds.
Most areas in the general fund do not increase significantly.
City staff proposes little capital purchases in the general fund this year in anticipation of tight finances. The general fund is a possible source of revenue for the police department, which operates on a temporary tax levy and is facing significant shortfalls in revenues this year and next from tax compression.
The budget committee received presentations on the general fund Thursday evening. It will review library, police and Public Works budgets this week on Tuesday and Thursday.