Council Prepares 2010 Budget

The Mayor and City Council of Blue Hill met with City Auditor and Accountant, Ron Willnerd of Contryman Associates, PC to hold a budget workshop on Monday evening, August 17. The City will continue to make the same tax request of $101,000 although the amount received by individual accounts will vary significantly from previous years. The official approval of the 2010 Budget will occur following a Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. on September 15, 2009. Blue Hill residents with questions, comments or concerns regarding the budget should plan to attend the hearing or submit a written statement to City Hall prior to noon on Friday, September 11. A copy of the budget may be review at City Hall once completed. One major change in the budget is the elimination of the Debt Services Account. This account was established to service debt accrued on previous street projects and the municipal water tower. Any debt currently incurred by the city will instead be carried with the appropriate budget item. Some of the major budget expenditures for 2010 include; $8,000 for new and additional computer, automation, and office equipment for City Hall, $25,000 for street improvements on York Street near Sycamore Street and the tennis / basketball courts, $40,000 for improvements to Community / Senior Center, and $102,892 for payment on street projects completed in 2008 & 2009. Budgeted expenses by category for 2010 Library -- $23,290 Cemetery -- $14,150 Streets -- $212,392 Pool -- $54,000 Golf / Fitness -- $2,650 General Fund -- $32,500 Parks -- $24,500 C/S/C -- $64,000 Waste Disposal -- $62,000 Sewer -- $32,000 Water -- $118,330 Electric -- $650,000 Total -- $1,289,482 Budgeted Revenue for 2010 Property Taxes -- $101,000 Sales Taxes -- $79,500 User Fees -- $12,000 Other Taxes / Fees -- $5,500 Motor Vehicle Fees -- $7,000 Highway Allocation -- $72,351 Grants -- $29,280 Equalization Aide -- $45,207 Interest Income -- $6,400 Leases -- $15,704 Waste Disposal Fees -- $62,000 Sewer Fees -- $34,000 Water Fees -- $110,000 Electric Fees -- $526,000 Capacity Commitment -- $43,200 Total -- $1,149,142 Expenses and revenues above are not official and may vary from final budget presented for public hearing.