By HEATHER C. COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
When comparing the proposed 2012-2013 budget to last year’s, there are several notable changes which include implementing a $.50 raise for all city employees, more energy efficient procedures and the creation of new offices and departments.
General Fund
The 2011-2012 budget for the city’s accounting services was $51,703. This year, it is proposed at $282,313. Managerial services’ increased proposed budget for 2012-2013 is $334,372 as opposed to last year’s approved budget of $187,705. Personnel services’ proposed 2012-2013 budget last year was $202,509; this year’s is $432,856. Total proposed fees and services for the 2012-2013 general fund are $1,400,335, as compared to last year’s approved budget of $730,133.
On these increases, City Manager Manuel Lara said, “We provide [these] services to our utilities group. About three years ago, utilities were not collecting adequate funds to run the water and waste treatment plants. What the city had to do, we had to help them out to do their accounting, managerial work,” etcetera.
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3 comments
San Benito’s finest doing what they do best
The city is on a tight budget and money is wasted on International travel? At local taxpayers expense, this is not acceptable.
Just wanted to expand on Mr. Lara’s statement regarding “an international presence”.
The travel budget for the “City Commission” itself is increasing from $8,080 current fiscal year to $36,785 FY 2012-13.
Of the total $36,785 travel budget, the City Commission is budgeting $20,000 just for “international travel”.
I am sorry but IMHO, this is nothing more than a boondoggle (a wasteful or impractical expenditure of taxpayer dollars) with no ROI.
Also, because of this new “StormWater Department” there will also be a new $1.50 residential and $2.75 commercial “monthly surcharge” on the water bill to pay for the new stormwater program. This in addition to the water rate increase.
This begins October 1.