Cape council gives initial OK to swelling budget

Shaping up this year's budget came down to identifying the highest priorities, Cape Girardeau City Council and staff members said at a Monday night council meeting.

The council gave initial approval to the $79.4 million budget, as well as an ordinance increasing water and trash rates. The previous year's budget was about $71 million. The proposed budget for the coming year is 11.6 percent higher.

Among the most notable items in the 2015-2016 budget is the addition of police staff. Three jailers and two police officer positions were added with associated personnel costs of $116,105 and $105,974, respectively.

Police Chief Wes Blair told council additional jail staff was one of his top priorities because it would allow staff members to supervise the jail day and night. The three jailers the department currently has provide supervision during the day, and police officers are asked to come in and do walk-through checks at night if time allows.

Also added, at a total cost of $48,226, was a code inspector to enforce the city's minimum standards for properties under the city's residential program. The city has three code inspectors, including one dedicated to the city's residential rental program and property maintenance. The additional inspector is expected to help answer a high volume of nuisance calls the city receives each year, staff said.

Making the additions required cost-saving decisions in other areas of the budget. For example, the council voted not to participate in the annual back-to-school sales-tax holiday this year. The move is expected to save the city about $20,000.

"I appreciate what city staff was able to do to get jailers for our police department," said Councilman Joe Uzoaru. " ... [Lack of jailers] presents an enormous liability to the city."

The budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, incorporates suggestions from a pay study completed earlier this year. The changes, designed to make the city more competitive with cities of similar size, affected about 160 employees with an annual total cost of $505,000, including benefits. Also accounted for in the budget is a 1.7 percent wage increase for all city employees at a total cost of $330,000.

Another change in the budget includes utility rates. The council gave initial approval to a separate ordinance Monday night increasing water and solid waste rates. The 3 percent increase to residential and commercial water rates is the first water rate increase since 2011.

Solid waste rates last increased in 2013. The monthly residential solid waste charge would rise nearly 5 percent, from $18.35 to $19.25. Base tipping fees at the city's transfer station would increase 5 percent, to $57.50 a ton.

Mayor Harry Rediger pointed out utility fees have averaged an increase of 0.75 percent over the last four years -- a rise to $75.49 per month, from $73.29.

"I commend staff for holding the line and keeping that under 1 percent," he said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.