2006 budget vote placed on Jackson board's agenda

The city of Jackson will spend roughly $20 million in 2006.

The budget -- which will be voted on tonight -- includes $1.2 million for the East Main Street extension project, which city officials anticipate will be completed by the end of next year.

Funding for the project comes from the transportation sales tax, which will also provide more than $300,000 for miscellaneous street projects and repairs.

"Most of the city's funds have to be used towards specific projects," said city administrator Jim Roach. "The transportation sales tax has to be used on issues dealing with transportation."

Other big budgeted items include electrical generation upgrades and replacing circuit conversion lines throughout the city.

Both items, which will cost approximately $850,000, are paid for out of the electric surplus fund. Approximately $4 million in electric revenue bonds were issued in early 2000. By the end of 2005, $2.8 million will have been spent on engineering and construction of approved projects from the electric surplus, said Larry Koenig, assistant city administrator.

Other capital items, which have been recommended by city management for the board of aldermen's review, include a $25,000 4-wheel drive pick-up truck, three new police vehicles at $66,000 total and concrete overlay at $12,000 for city hall. These items will be paid for out of the electric surplus interest.

Also in the budget is $232,611 for the Oak Street Recreation Trail, to be complete in summer 2006. The city will be reimbursed $162, 827 from a Missouri Department of Transportation grant when the trail is constructed.

The city also plans to spend $1.7 million for several sewer projects that were authorized under previously approved bond issues. These projects, to be completed in 2006, include the Williams Creek and Hubble Creek interceptor sewers.

City employees will receive on average a 3 to 3.5 percent raise, Mayor Paul Sander said, which each raise based on merit system. Most employees will receive a 3 percent raise. No hiring of additional full-time employee positions was recommended.

Sander said the city always addresses its employee salaries first and equipment and projects second.

"The actual nuts and bolts of the budget will be balanced," Sander said. "We don't believe in spending more than we have and we don't want to put the city in any financial difficulties."

For 2005, the city had $26.7 million for its budget. But Koenig said the city of Jackson would receive fewer grants in the upcoming year.

"We've gotten a lot of big grants this year," Koenig said. One of the grants included the Homeland Security grant, which the city won't receive in 2006.

Roach said it amazes him that out of a $20 million budget, there are only 130 full-time city employees.

"We're here to provide everything a city is supposed to provide, utilities, public safety, street improvements," Roach said. "And I think we've been doing a pretty reasonable job. Everything is done on a priority basis."

WANT TO GO?

* What: Public Hearing for the city of Jackson's 2006 Budget

* Where: City Hall, 101 Court

* When: 7:30 p.m., tonight

* Who: Jackson's Board of Aldermen