Pinckneyville projects deficit of $580,000 for 2015
The Pinckneyville City Council passed a resolution adopting a tentative budget for the year ending April 30, 2015 and set a pubic hearing for 7:15 p.m. on Monday, April 15, prior to the next regular meeting.
The budget predicts a deficit of $580,020 for the city operating budget, which includes the general fund, public affairs, fire, police, civil defense, park, OSLAD, IMRF and economic development funds. There is a balance on hand of $168,155 and predicted revenue of $3,918,600, making $4,086,755 available for use. Expenses of $$4,666,775 are anticipated.
The enterprise funds (water, sewer, pool and gas) are projected to have a surplus of $382,455.
Restricted funds in the Revolving Loan and TIF accounts predict surpluses of $626,740 and $619,350, respectively. All of the smaller restricted funds also predict a surplus.
The following funds are expected to show a deficit: public affairs- $252,200, fire fund- $179,200, two percent fire fund- $4,400, police fund- $706,900, merit board- $2,000, police DUI fund- $3,000, police drug dog- $6,000, Road District 5A- $352,750, motor fuel tax- $14,750, park fund- $71,175, library- $2,000, cemetery fund- $25,200, economic development fund- $87,950, water plant #1- $439,200, and pool- $49,200
Though there is no guarantee of receiving all of the funds, the budget includes $7.2 million in grant fund revenue. The projects include work on the Gordon Street Lift Station ($100,000), a lake pump generator ($48,000), generator ($45,500), office remodeling ($45,000), infrastructure improvements ($100,000), public safety ($150,000) and a new sewer plant ($5.282 million and $740,000 for engineering).
Expenditures are also projected at $7.2 million, meaning the grant wish list has no bearing on the bottom line for the city. The grant items have been in the budget since at least 2012.
In other business, the council:
• agreed to hire three part-time police officers: Sarah Swiney, Nick McLaughlin and Jeff Thonton.
• agreed to use gaming fees for maintenance and renovation at City Hall. The funds will be placed into a designated account.
• granted permission for the American Legion to collect funds at locations around the square and four-way stop from 1 to 6 p.m. on May 23.
• granted permission for Pinckneyville Shooting Sports to hold a 5K run/walk beginning at 8 a.m. on June 7 at the City Park. Participants in the fund-raiser will walk or run from the park to Shotgun Alley, the home of Stuart and Sharon Wright on Dalmatian Road, and back. The city will provide front and rear escorts for the walkers and runners.
• re-appointed Ted Harsha to the Police Pension Board for a two-year term beginning May 13.
• appointed James Shillinger to a one-year term on the Zoning Committee. Shillinger replaces Steve Sweeney, who resigned.
• answered questions about faded street signs from Steve Williamson. Commissioner Sam Fulk said that the city recently completed a survey on street signs to satisfy the state after the specifications for signs changed to include reflective paint and larger lettering. Fulk said that the city will replace signs, as they can afford to, beginning with traffic control signs which are the most important.