MP Council passes fiscal 2018 budget

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News

Only one line in a budget concerns most taxpayers ? that being the property tax levy.

For nearly a decade, the City of Mt. Pleasant?s total property tax levy has been $12.18 per $1,000 taxable valuation. During a special council meeting Wednesday, the council unanimously passed the fiscal 2018 budget with the tax levy remaining at $12.18.

Projected expenditures during fiscal 2018 total just over $26 million with revenue estimated at $25.7 million. The gap between expenditures and revenue will reduce the city?s fiscal 2018 ending balance by $277,221 from its fiscal year beginning balance. Fiscal 2018?s ending balance is projected at $10,800,707.

Before the council approved the budget, which drew no oral or written comments, Mayor Steve Brimhall gave the council an oral summary of the document.

?We think we are in good shape where we are at, levy wise,? Brimhall said. ?Part of the reason is our valuation is higher. We have good assessed valuation in Mt. Pleasant.?

Brimhall said the city?s debt level is 39 percent, which he termed excellent in comparison with other municipalities. ?We could get to 80 percent,? he began. ?The 39 percent is on the low side, so we have room to move.?

He noted the city will be increasing the wastewater (sewer) fee by 30 cents July 1, which will be the third increase in a five-year program of gradual increases to finance Iowa Department of Natural Resources-mandated improvements to the sanitary sewer system. The increase also includes replacing sewer lines on J Street this summer as well as the lining on other sewers.

About $150,000 will be spent on asphalting city streets this summer, the mayor said, although no decision has been made on which streets will receive the new surfacing. ?We are trying to fix our streets, and I think we compare favorably with other cities (in the condition of streets).?

Most city employees, Brimhall said, will receive a 3-percent salary increase as of July 1, 2017. However, some employees will receive an increase in addition to the 3-percent. ?We adjusted some salaries that we felt were low, so they will receive a raise in addition to the 3 percent.?

Council members also passed an amendment to the fiscal 2017 budget to reflect increases and decreases due to the timing of capital projects, expenditures and the receipt of grant reimbursements, City Clerk Florence Olomon said.

?Sometimes, capital expenditures run into a new fiscal year,? she said. ?We have spent money in fiscal years that was to be covered by grant money and the grant money was not received until the next fiscal year.?

In the lone remaining agenda item, the council passed the third reading and adopted an ordinance rezoning property at 1010 E. Washington St. and three properties to the south on South Grand Avenue from B1 and B4 to B3, general retail and service commercial.

Council members will meet in regular session Wednesday, March 8, at 4 p.m., at City Hall. The meeting is earlier than normal due to the announcement of entertainment for the 2018 Midwest Old Threshers Reunion. The entertainment lineup will be announced during an Alive After Five (5 p.m.) at the Main Street Cinemas.