The Ketchum City Council approved a fiscal 2011-12 budget on Sept. 6 of about $13.3 million—a 1.4 percent decrease from the current fiscal year.
City Administrator Gary Marks noted that the budget meets the council's previously stated goals, including maintaining spending at fiscal 2011 levels. The $13,341,657 budget is $186,385 less than that of fiscal 2011.
"I consider that an accomplishment," Marks said. "As far as from a level-of-service point of view, we're holding our own."
The "operating budget" of $12,095,330 makes up most of the total budget. It accounts for personnel expenses, materials and services, debt service and contingencies. That's 1.2 percent, or $142,053, less than the current fiscal year's operating budget.
The budget does not include a cost-of-living increase for city employees.
The remainder of the budget, $1,246,327, is for capital expenses. That proposed amount represents a 24.1 percent increase from the current fiscal year. The bulk of that increase stems from water and wastewater projects that the city will undertake to the tune of nearly $1 million.
Revenues from local-option taxes are budgeted for fiscal 2012 at $1,623,023, the same amount projected for this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
"This is a responsible budget due to actions that the council requested previously ... and the city administrator (implemented)," said Ketchum resident and City Council candidate Mickey Garcia during Tuesday's public hearing.
The new fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.
Rebecca Meany: rmeany@mtexpress.com
