Dunkirk adopts new spending plan (9/20/05)

DUNKIRK — Council members here unanimously approved final reading of the city’s 2006 budget proposal Monday night, one day prior to the deadline for such action.

Trash collection will continue to be financed through property taxes with no additional fees added to city water and sewer bills, clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said. The idea of placing a charge for this service on the water bills was discussed by council members last week, but they later decided to continue with the status quo.

Council members had been scheduled to approve the budget at their regular meeting last week, but delayed action with the hopes of finding ways to trim some of the projected expenses.

Kesler said that the original budget estimate totaled $1,487,830, but the final figure was $1,400,984. She said a variety of cuts were made in all departments.

The budget trimming was necessary due to an anticipated drop in the city’s assessed valuation as a result of recent industrial plant and store closings as well as a drop in inventory tax revenue, city officials said.[[In-content Ad]]