It's the time of year for many local governments to meet and discuss budgets for the upcoming year, going over the wish lists and urgent needs of their departments to determine priorities and finalize where money is spent and how much, and that's no different for the city of Willow Springs.
Council members Danny Bradley, Kim Rich, Tyler Morris and Phill Knott gathered with Mayor Brooke Fair for a special budget work session Monday evening. The estimated $7.6 million budget was presented by City Administrator Beverly Hicks.
Hicks didn't recommend an electrical rate adjustment at the beginning of 2024, as the city is scheduled for a study on those rates.
Water and sewer rates were last increased as a step process between 2017 and 2019, at a rate of 3.5% each of those three years. Over the last two years, the city's water system has been audited to ensure the billing software reflects the information on the meter, and calculation issues on some commercial accounts have been corrected.
It was noted that other expenses have increased about 15%, including fuel, employee benefits and uniforms.
It was decided by council members, based on a rate table provided by Hicks comparing 3% and 4% increases for 2024 through 2026, that a 3% increase on sewer and water would be enacted for 2024. Council members will evaluate the rates at the end of that year.
Part of the budget work session was hearing about the needs and costs of each of the city's departments, with updates on projects for the upcoming fiscal year. At the airport, the runway will be resurfaced in 2024 through a 90/10 Missouri Department of Transportation grant. The city's part of that grant, 10% of the project cost, is expected to be about $38,000.
A review of Willow Springs municipal codes to make sure they are compliant with state and federal laws was last conducted in 2008, and the cost associated with a new review is estimated to be about $12,000.
The animal control and code enforcement department is asking council members to budget for a new transport cage, meant to replace the existing setup that is only large enough for one animal with a new double carrier and a mobile carrier to accommodate small animals. The total cost is estimated to be about $2,000.
Purchases for the electric department included a load of electric poles for $36,000, plus high-voltage recloser switches for large circuits like those found at the south junction of U.S. 63 and U.S. 60 and the city's industrial park, costing about $35,000.
A goal of the sewer department during the upcoming year is to seal and grout manholes and lift stations where there have been problems with particle infiltration. The first stage of the project is expected to cost about $40,000. The water department estimates the High Street water tower will need repairs to maintain compliance with Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations at an estimated cost of $29,000.
A wastewater treatment plant priority for the upcoming year is a new influent control panel at a cost of about $38,000. Other needs will be keeping the department stocked with filter pumps in case current ones fail, the replacement of clarifier gears for $11,000, and bearings and chains for the aerator for about $4,000.
The biggest budget request for the department is the replacement of the Sunshine Drive lift station at a cost of about $185,603.
For the fire department, the city has committed to continue to replace self-contained breathing apparatus and bunker gear for firefighters, but will continue to seek out grant funding to offset costs.
Requests for the police department are to buy agency-issued rifles and shotguns, and increase the training and education budget for officer safety and risk mitigation compliance. City officials are also planning to enter into a patrol vehicle data terminal replacement program with the Peacemaker company. A three-year replacement program would cost $2,350 per vehicle and a four-year replacement program would cost $1,875 per vehicle. If a handheld ticket writer was added to the four-year replacement plan, the cost would be $2,500. It was noted each of the options would provide a no-fault warranty. The department also asked that evidence room security cameras be updated and two gun safes be added to store agency-issued weapons and weapons collected as evidence.
The street department wants to expand street paving, overlays and chip-sealing. Those projects will increase the materials and supply budget from $107,000 to about $140,000, for oil, rock and concrete. The department has also asked the city to budget for a used dump truck at a cost of about $40,000.
City employee cost-of-living-adjustment raises, with the approval of council members, will be 3.2%. The figure is determined each October by the Social Security Administration, which calculates possible increases in benefit payouts based on the Consumer Price Index to cover cost of living increases. This will lead to an adjustment of the city's wage grade and step plan, with council approval.
Other expenses discussed were the need for pole barns or other similar buildings to store new equipment, vehicles and critical supplies for several departments at a cost of about $80,000. Council members were reminded the shelter would protect vehicles and equipment from exposure to and damage from inclement weather and allow for certain equipment to be plugged in to electrical outlets. The item is not currently budgeted for, but may be discussed at a later date.
The Willow Springs Public Library asked for an increase of 10% in financial support, to $3,575 monthly or $42,900 a year. It is now $39,000 yearly.
Both the Willow Springs YMCA and the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce have requested that financial support from the city continue at current amounts. For the YMCA, annual support is $16,200, and for the Chamber of Commerce it is $1,200 for a utility cost offset.
