By David Jenkins
Staff Writer
With the city’s budgeting process in full swing, a pair of budget work sessions were held July 13 and 14.
The Murphy city council continued its discussions for fiscal year 2016, which spans from Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016, including the general fund and utility fund budget.
General Fund
Adjustments to increase expenses by $722,000 were presented for four areas, information technology ($180,100); public works ($150,000); facilities ($54,000); and parks ($701,700).
FY 2016 general fund revenues are budgeted at $12,233,400. In addition, the utility fund is expected to generate $850,000 in revenue and court restricted revenue is budgeted to contribute $30,000 in transfers. The total FY 2016 revenue, including department transfers is $13,113,400. FY 2016 expenditures are budgeted at $13,088,600.
Revenues less expenditures are budgeted as a net increase of $24,800, with a projected fund balance of $3,027,003, or 23.13 percent of expenditures.
One of the main topics of discussion was the 3 percent raise for all employees, excluding uniformed public safety personnel. This increase in salaries was listed as a separate item.
The raises would total $200,000 and reduced the projected fund balance to $2,827,003, or 21.59 percent of expenditures.
Murphy Community Development Corporation
The MCDC projected fund balance was $352,610.
That includes $215,800 for funding of additional items and a projected fund balance of $136,810.
Out of this fund the Parks department is requesting a Groundskeeper I ($47,800), contract mowing ($115,000), plus additional expenses for tree maintenance ($20,000), mulching beds city-wide ($20,000), as well as, mulching trees city-wide ($13,000).
Murphy Municipal Development District
The MMDD projected fund balance is budgeted at $2,206,440.
This total includes funding for additional items at $605,900 at a projected fund balance of $1,600,540.
Requests for equipment for the IT ($130,600), city secretary ($8,600), fire ($117,000), facilities ($24,700), police ($175,000) and public works ($150,000) are included in the initial expenses.
Utility Fund
Total FY 2016 requested revenue for the utility fund, included other, water and sewer revenues is $7,892,200. This compares to a projected FY 2015 total utility revenue of $7,380,900 by the end of September.
Total requested expenses are budgeted at $8,375,900 for FY 2016.
This includes $850,000 transferred to the general fund.
The revenue less expenditures equals a loss of $483,700.
Expected expenses for FY 2015 are $7,881,800.
North Texas Municipal Water District
The requested water rate was $2.34 per every thousands gallons used.
Cost of sewer requested was $917,500, which is a 9.5 percent increase over the $837,600 budget for FY 15.
Water rates
Proposed rates from the NTMWD are about 30 cents higher than the current rates for residential and sprinkler-irrigation.
Thus far, for FY 2015 water sales are approximately 27 percent below last year.
A work session was held on Tuesday, July 21, after city councils regular meeting. The Monitor will have coverage of the city council meeting and budget work session in its next edition.
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