DOCUMENTS: Proposed Budget and Strategic Plan

A lot will be written about the City's budget this year, and a lot of people will be putting a lot of different spins on what it all means.

So in the interest of openness and transparency, we're posting the whole document for your viewing pleasure.

This, along with approved budgets dating back to 2001, can be found on the City's website. But we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see for themselves.

As a recap, here is what City Manager Angel Jones writes about the proposed document:

"The FY2012 total budget of $47,887,492 represents an 8.4% increase when compared to FY2011.  The operating budget of $41,745,362 is 2.6% higher than FY2011. 

'This year we are recommending a Capital Improvements Plan of $5,232,130, which represents a 71.7% increase over the amount budgeted in FY2011.  A large portion of that increase involves construction of Teacher's Way in Olde Towne, as well as several other projects that preserve our infrastructure.

The contribution to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust (OPEB) calculated by our actuaries is $910,000, which is twice the amount budgeted in FY2011.  It is important to note that our post-employment benefits are funded at the recommended level; we are not jeopardizing the future by underfunding these benefits to balance the budget."

You'll have a chance to tell City Hall what you think of the budget at a public hearing on May 2 at 7:30 pm. At that meeting, you'll also be able to bend the Council's ear on property taxes.