A public hearing was held Monday evening during the Plymouth City Council meeting for the Pre-Adoption of the 2020 Budget.
Clerk Treasurer Jeanine Xaver addressed the council giving additional information that was asked during the August 19th Budget Work session. Councilman Jeff Houin had questioned why there was a $40,000 increase in the salaries line item for City Garage and Warehouse. Xaver said it was putting the purchasing agent and two mechanics on the same line. The actual increase was only $1,000.
Houin also commented that the Airport’s operating balance seemed high and Xaver explained, “You have to remember that the majority of the funding for the departments is from property taxes, that funding only comes twice a year. So we have to have enough cash on hand in each fund to operate, at minimum, for a full six months.”
The Clerk Treasurer explained the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. She said the balances are split between the city, aviation and fire department. The City receives $145,623.15; Aviation $273,588.79 and Fire $129,548.31. She said she has an additional $200,000 invested to split between the three departments.
Xaver also told the City Council that the Local Income Tax they receive is expected to be reduced next year by almost $65,000. This money goes directly into the General Fund. She then recommended cuts to the 2020 budget requests in the amount of $596,500. Those cuts include $18,000 in the Fire Department for a heart monitor, $11,000 for five sets of full turnout gear and $4,500 from 800 mHz portable radios.
The Park Department’s budget was cut $350,000. $50,000 cut the ice skating rink in River Park Square and $300,000 squashed a new play set at the Hoosier Old Wheels pavilion.
The Plymouth Street Department had a cut of $210,000. The clerk said $200,000 was a duplicate line in the budget and $10,000 was reduces from sidewalks.
The final recommended cut was in the Aviation Budget. $3,000 was cut from other materials.
The Plymouth Clerk Treasure said, “These cuts total $596,500. This with the $1 million from dormant funds that you transferred to the General Fund will satisfy next year’s budget concerns. This will not solve the problem for upcoming years.”
The City Council unanimously approved the clerk/treasurer’s budget cuts recommendations.
Following the meeting Xaver said the department heads whose budgets were cut agreed to the cuts.
The council also heard the Ordinance 2019-2155 the 2020 Budget ordinance on first reading. The will consider it on 2nd and 3rd reading at their meeting on September 23rd.
The Clerk/Treasurer said the advertised tax rate was 2.1334 or $2.13 per $100 of net assessed value. Last year the advertised tax rate was 2.17 so it came down $.04 for next year.
