Dunkirk budget needs trim (8/9/05)

DUNKIRK — A need to trim city department budget requests by 15 to 20 percent was proposed at Monday night’s council meeting here.

Mayor Sam Hubbard suggested the 15 to 20 percent figure, shortly after clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler pointed out that initial budget estimates were “pretty high” and “probably some cuts should be made.”

The first of two public hearings on the city budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, just prior to the next city council session in Dunkirk City Hall.

The final hearing and adoption of the budget is slated for 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 at city hall.

Kesler reported that initial estimates for the 2006 city budget’s general fund total $1.2 million with the maximum estimated funds to be raised from property taxes set at $919,000. Dunkirk’s current tax levy for the general fund totals $681,000. The general fund covers most city departments including fire, police, streets and the city clerk’s office.

At Monday night’s meeting Hubbard said that he and Kesler would like each council member to review the budget estimates for the department or departments which they supervise, and then report back about possible cuts at the Aug. 22 hearing.

“See what you can come up with,” Hubbard told city council members at Monday night’s meeting. “We need some very serious cuts in these initial budget estimates.”

In other action Monday night, council members:

•Approved the purchase of a new backhoe for the wastewater treatment department for $63,750 from MacAllister Machinery Company Inc., Fort Wayne. This is a 2005 Caterpillar backhoe which also will be available for use by other city departments, sewer department superintendent Greg Buckner said.

The MacAllister price was $10,000 lower than two other bids which were submitted, city officials noted, pointing that there was money in the wastewater department’s 2005 budget to allow for this purchase. “I feel it’s needed, and it will be available for use by other departments,” Councilman Larry Smith said.

“I think it’s a good investment for the city. It should be around for the next 15 years,” Buckner said.

The city water department already has a backhoe, but city officials said there are times when two backhoes are needed at the same time in different parts of the city, especially in light of the large number of water main breaks in recent weeks.

•Agreed to increase the usual city donation for fireworks from $500 to $905.30 to cover all the bills remaining from this year’s July 4th show in Dunkirk City Park.

•Received a letter from Habitat for Humanity of Jay County representative Jeb Bubp, thanking city officials for their help in connection with the construction of the new Habitat house in the community.

•Noted that Hubbard and water department superintendent Dace Mumbower had scheduled a trip to Converse, Ind. to inspect a water treatment plant which is similar in capacity to the one in Dunkirk. Council members are currently considering making some major changes to the present plant, as recommended by the consulting firm of Commonwealth Engineers Inc. of Indianapolis.

•Learned that the last day for the city pool to be open this season will be Sunday, Aug. 21, as the student lifeguards will be returning to school. Classes for the Jay School Corporation start on Aug. 22.

•Received a bill from LICA Construction Corp., Portland, totaling $107,000 for the recent paving of Highland Avenue and Pleasant Street in Dunkirk.

•Were introduced to newly hired water department employee Chris Hayden who has returned to Dunkirk after living and working in Florida for several years.[[In-content Ad]]