Final budget approved

The McCook City Council adopted the $26 million 2009-10 city budget unanimously on third and final reading Monday night, reflecting recent revisions that include no water rate increases.

Other additions /subtractions in the final budget include:

* the ad valorem tax request that has been changed due to an increase in the city's taxable valuation. The city's property tax request will not be increased but property tax valuations are expected to be higher this year and will result in a slight revenue increase for taxing entities such as the city, school district, county, McCook Community College and others. Revenue from property taxes in 2009-10 is projected at $940,669, up from $923,000 originally anticipated.

* revenue and expenses have been added for the $629,700 Neighborhood Stabilization Plan grant the city received, that will be used for demolition purposes and the anticipated $500,000 Community Development Block grant for renovation work at the Keystone Hotel for 21st Century Systems Inc.

* the adjusted ending fund balance for the general fund, at $150, 214

* increased projected year end figures for landfill daily deposits and landfill receivables, because of the tonnage increase at the transfer station due in part to the renovation work at the Keystone Hotel. The budget was decreased to allow for a $1 per ton increase instead of the original $2 proposed. This will increase the cash on hand at year end, with city staff reviewing projections in January.

* $13,500 was removed from recycling since the purchase of the trailer will not occur this year

* revenue and expense changes have increased the Transfer Station contingency fund to $38,659 from a negative $4,011

* Hauling and disposing has been increased this year at the Transfer Station. The increase of tonnage has a positive effect on the revenue side but increases in hauling and disposal affects the expense side.

* a zero percent increase in Sewer Collection revenues is projected, that will lower the contingency fund in Sewer Maintanance and Operation from $300,986 to $239,95

In a related action, the council approved an ordinance on its third and final reading that adopts the city's employee classification pay plan. The plan includes the 2 percent cost of living increase for city employees and changes necessary to provide for the step range plan to fall within the median average of the 2009 wage comparability study.