Friday, August 1, 2003

Union City passes new budget

By LINDSAY BIANCHI
Special to The Citizen

The Union City Council presented its new budget proposal for fiscal year 2003-2004 at its monthly meeting July 15th. City Administrator Alan Grindstaff said "there were no major changes" this time around.

The $19 million budget proposal is "up only slightly," from last year's budget. This year's budget increased about $100,000 from last year.

"We organized more for management." Grindstaff pointed out.

The biggest chunk, 52 percent and nearly $10 million, covers operating costs, salaries and benefits for the water and sewer department, sanitation department and the correctional institution.

The town's $8.4 million general fund, which includes everything from police and fire department expenditures to administration, municipal court, records and street costs takes up another 44 percent of the overall amount.

The remaining 4 percent, just over $700,000, goes for special revenues such as bulletproof vests, hotel/motel tax and motor vehicle excise tax.

The new budget will be voted on at the Aug.19 City Council meeting.