Sep 21, 2009 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Salary and insurance cost hikes will likely increase the 2010 city budget by approximately $100,000 over the 2009 financial plan, according to city clerk Antoinette Tesauro. While expense figures are slowly making their way to her desk, Tesauro said that it is estimated salaries tied to contracts will cost the city an additional $89,000 in the coming year and medical insurance rates will increase by 2.6 percent with worker’s compensation costs to rise by 5 percent.

Tesauro, Mayor Judy Reed and incoming council member Marilyn Weaver met Friday to discuss the preliminary figures with no indication how council intends to balance the budget with the looming increase in expenditures.

“We might have to cut some unneeded services,” said Reed, declining to be specific about which city services might be considered unnecessary in the coming year.

Police Chief Ed McSheffery presented his department budget, noting a nearly $67,000 increase in spending for the upcoming year.

“I tried to reduce what I could,” he said, adding that the bulk of the increase is tied to a 4 percent wage increase council will likely address at its Monday meeting.

The current contract ends Dec. 31 and the police association requested a one-year extension to the current pact. A resolution to approve the extension and salary increase is on the agenda.

In other police department budget items, McSheffery maintained the 2009 figures for building monitors at $30,000; overtime, holiday and sick time buyback costs at $95,000; traffic control, $7,000; call system and phones, $12,000; radio system, $5,500; computer and software, $9,000; travel and training, $5,000; police auxiliary, $2,500; capital outlay, $2,500; tool purchase, $200 and office machine maintenance at $6,000.

The tentative department budget figures show decreased amounts for vehicle leasing; maintenance and repair; gas, grease and oil and office supplies.

McSheffery estimated minimal increases for costs tied to pension obligations, Social Security tax contributions and uniform purchases.

Tesauro said that the street department/recreation department 2010 budget does show some additional spending costs along with contractual salary increases.

In a related budget matter, at the Monday meeting council will also consider changing the status of health officer Tom Currey from part-time to full-time and increase his duties to include code enforcement.

His anticipated $38,000 annual salary will be defrayed through an allocation of the same amount set aside in the 2008 state Community Development Block Grant program.

Connellsville Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Michael Edwards said Friday that he urged the city officials to earmark funding for code enforcement as it is an allowable expense under the program guidelines.

“The money must be expended and it can be used to pay for code enforcement,” said Edwards.

Other departments have yet to submit 2010 budgetary figures, said Tesauro.

Reed said she has not reviewed anticipated revenues for the upcoming year.

City Treasurer Judy Keller did provide an accounting of revenue through Sept. 15 that indicates the city has yet to collect a substantial amount of its anticipated 2009 income.

Reed admitted that it is unlikely a hefty balance will be carried over into the new year.

However, she and Tesauro are confident the $450,000 tax anticipation loan secured in January will be repaid by the end of the year.

“It is going to be tight,” said Reed.

Reed, along with council members David McIntire and Terry Bodes will turn over their respective duties to current Councilman Charles Matthews who received the Democratic nomination for mayor, and Tom Karpiak and Weaver, who also received the party nomination for the two council positions.

Barring a successful write-in campaign, the three will be seated in January.

Matthews has two years remaining in his council seat term of office and the position will have to be filled by the incoming administration in January.

The new council will have the opportunity to re-open the budget to make revenue and expenditure changes.

The next budget meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.