City Will Spend $100,000 Less but Maintain Services

The city’s general-fund budget for the coming fiscal year will be about $100,000 less than last year’s.

The City Council on Tuesday night approved the spending plan for the 1996-97 year beginning July 1.

No residents showed up to speak either for or against the proposal at a public hearing preceding the vote.

The new budget calls for about $5.3 million in spending, compared to $5.4 million for the current year.

The general fund is the city’s source of money for paying basic services, including police protection.

Council members praised city staff members for shaping a new budget that calls for more services but with slightly less spending.

“The new budget is coming in $100,000 below last year while still maintaining things like free concerts in the park and teen programs,” Councilman Kenneth Blake said.

Councilman Wally Linn noted that city reserves have increased. “Just two years ago the city was down to $25,000” in reserve money, he said.

“Now we’ll have $1.2 million,” according to the new budget.