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VICTORIA'S EXPENDITURES FOR 2002
PROPOSED TO INCREASE BY 37%
The tax levy (dollars to be collected from Victoria taxpayers) is determined by the city's anticipated revenues and expenditures for the year 2002. They are pro-posed to increase from $2,104,408 in 2001 to $2,880,688 in 2002. This is a projected 37% increase.
The primary reason for the large increase is the loss of almost $200,000 in government aid. A secondary reason is related to the parks budget and the accounting procedures. Councilmember Jerry Bohn had suggested creating an "enterprise fund" for an ice arena, for example, to keep its profits or losses separate from the "regular" city budget.
Keeping up with services in a grow-ing community, especially as they relate to providing Parks & Rec programs, also increases the city budget.
The corresponding large revenue increase is due mainly to the large number of residential properties on which taxes are paid.
For the first time, state statute is not dictating that cities schedule dates for Truth in Taxation hearings. City Admin-istrator Steve Sarvi said this is because the Legislature has been hearing that no one is coming to the meetings, so why make the scheduling of those meetings mandatory.
Administrator Sarvi suggested an Open House to share information with the public rather than a "hearing." Such an Open House will probably be scheduled. Final certification of the city budget occurs in December.
General Fund Operating Revenues Proposed for 2002
Revenues:
General Fund Property Tax $1,650,000
Licenses and Permits $258,900
Inter-governmental Revenue $171,908
Charges for Services $289,880
Miscellaneous Revenue $ 64,500
Other Sources:
Interfund Transfer $495,500
TOTAL REVENUES: $2,880,688
General Fund Operating Expenditures Proposed for 2002
Mayor and Council $14,284
Administration $349,625
Finance $117,776
Elections $10,000
Professional Services $160,000
Planning and Zoning $93,911
Government Building $56,900
Total General Govt. $802,496
Police/Sheriff $107,000
Fire Protection $476,392
Building Inspection Dept. $141,221
Civil Defense $20,000
Animal Control $5,000
Total Public Safety $749,612
General Maintenance /Streets $424,814
Snow Removal $13,500
Street Construction $100,000
Street Lighting $45,000
Street Lights $22,200
Street Cleaning $2,500
Composting $4,500
Weed Control $500
Engineering Project Coordinator $71,270
Total Public Works $684,284
Total Park and Recreation $513,441
Total Miscellaneous $130,855
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 2,880,688
VICTORIA'S TAX LEVY FOR 2002
PROPOSED TO INCREASE BY 17%
On September 13th Council passed a resolution approving a proposed tax levy for the City of Victoria for collection in the year 2002. A 17% increase is project-ed.
This Proposed 2002 Tax Levy, which has now been certified to the county, can-not be increased; it can only be decreased. During the time between this adoption of the proposed budget estimates and the proposed Truth in Taxation Open House, city staff and council continue budget re-view and refinement.
The General Fund Levy, which sup-ports basic city services, is proposed to increase from $1,413,945 in 2001 to $1,650,000 in 2002.
The Total Tax Levy, including the city's debt service (on Diethelm Park Land and Equipment), is proposed to increase from $1,603,918 in 2001 to $1,882,093. This is also a 17% increase. Debt service is a number that varies from year to year, depending on city purchases and financing of purchases.
State aids have also varied from year to year. This year Victoria lost almost $200,000 in state aid. Other cities in the state also lost their respective state aids. Total property tax bills should decrease in 2002, however, because the state is paying for more of the School District's budget, which reduces the School District's reliance on the local property tax levy.
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