Council member says Connellsville ‘in good shape’ financially
CONNELLSVILLE – City jobs and services to residents are likely to remain intact, according to preliminary figures prepared by the city’s director of accounts and finance. “I don’t see any employee being laid off or cuts in services that residents rely upon or a tax increase,” said Councilwoman Judy Keller on Monday. “Our financial situation appears to be in good shape.”
Council has scheduled to meet in special session tonight to review a proposed budget prepared by Keller for the upcoming year.
Unlike last year when council was meeting in lengthy sessions during the holiday season, Keller said she began requesting department budgets in September in order to compile the preliminary financial plan.
“Once (each department head) turned in their figures, I took a look at what had been spent up until Oct. 4 and determined if and where cuts in spending could be made,” she said. “Each department has had some line items trimmed.
“It seems reasonable to cut a line item from a budgeted $1,000 if you have only spent $50 over the course of 10 months.”
Keller said the budget has to also reflect contractual increases in 2003 for the fire, police and street departments, in addition to those being planned by utility suppliers and insurance companies.
While expenditures will be slightly increased over last year, Keller said if the current trend of incoming revenues is maintained the city would not face a deficit.
“Most of our tax revenues are coming in at a good rate,” she said.
Council is required to present a tentative budget by Nov. 30, but Keller hopes the panel will take action at its Nov. 12 regular meeting.
The financial plan must be available for 30 days for public inspection before council passes it. The December council meeting has been delayed from its regular scheduled date of Dec. 10 to Dec. 17 to accommodate the review period.