Brigham City's proposed budget $8 million less than last year's

By Amy Macavinta

April 8, 2008 | BRIGHAM CITY -- Mayor LuAnn Christensen presented next year's city budget at a public hearing recently. Proposed expenditures for 2008-2009 are $33 million, down from last year's $41 million.

"My overall goal in preparing the budget was to maintain the level of service to our citizens with funding for capital projects while keeping focused on our 2012 vision," she said.

The mayor and City Council have set goals in four areas of priority: economic development, responsive government, public safety, and quality of life or heritage and culture. Specific goals have been set for the year 2012. All budget considerations for next year are made with these goals in mind.

Part of the proposed budget includes an increase in utilities. Water, waste collection, storm drains and waste treatment are all up by 4.1 percent. However, city power is seeing the largest increase at 8 percent increase this year, and at least 5 percent in each of the next two years.

Christensen said the city purchases 70 percent of the city's power from Rocky Mountain Power. The increase in electricity comes directly from Rocky Mountain Power, which has canceled the city's service agreement from 1985 to bring rates in line with the current of production. This increase does not include any adjustments that might be forthcoming from the Public Service Commission.

Employee compensation is another item in the budget that will affect a lot of people. The proposed budget includes a 4.1 percent increase in merit increases, or pay based on performance. In addition, $10,000 was placed in the budget to help bring some employees up to the market standard for their positions. Last year's adjustments were $50,000, so Christensen said she feels this decrease is a sign the city is on the right track.

Another recommended addition to the budget is a 3 percent match on 401K retirement plan for full-time employees who do not work in public safety. The city currently has a 401K plan available, but does not match employee contributions. There will also be a 1.5 percent increase to the State Pension Plan contributions for public safety employees.

Also included in next year's proposed budget are funds to continue large capital projects, including the airport and the infrastructure for Procter & Gamble. In addition, $395,000 has been allocated to build a new maintenance building at Eagle Mountain Golf Course. According to Christensen, the city has been advised by its insurance company that the existing structure is not adequate to protect the equipment stored there.

Christensen also said just over $1 million will go towards the purchase of 18 new vehicles or specialized pieces of equipment, and the lease of 12 more. Last year, the city budgeted for 18 new and 11 leased, but one of the vehicles purchased was a large platform truck for the fire department, so the overall expense was higher. This year it is down by 10 percent.

The city continues to seek ways to increase efficiency throughout each department to save money, said Christensen. Two examples from the current budget year are the reorganization of the public works department, and the in-house demolition of the Modern Cleaners building.

When the public works department lost an employee, they chose to restructure the department rather than replace that individual. According to Christensen, this was a move that both increased efficiency in the department and saves the city $10,000 on an ongoing basis.

Bids to demolish the old Modern Cleaners Building came in at about $37,000. However, city employees were able to tear down that building and haul off the debris at a cost of $13,832, a substantial savings for the city.

There was no comment from the public regarding the budget, so it will now be reviewed by the council. If it meets their approval, it will be adopted in June following a final public hearing.

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