On September 16, 2019, the City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2019-20 annual budget of $78,371,031 effective October 1, 2019. The Proposed 2019-20 Fiscal Year Budget is available online at www.bluespringsgov.com.
The proposed budget represents the City’s continued effort to provide residents with high value municipal services in a fiscally responsible manner that is in alignment with the 2015 Strategic Plan Framework and the 2018 Citizen Survey. Included in the budget are funds to update the Strategic Plan Framework in 2020. The FY 2019-2020 budget includes areas where new revenue sources will allow the City to address deferred maintenance in the City’s Parks system and other areas where operational expenditures must be reduced due to areas of minimal revenue growth.
Budget highlights include:
- General fund operating budget decreases by 0.66% or $180,732. The personal services budget increases by 0.92%, materials and supplies are increasing by 0.08%, contractual services increases by 1.28%, and capital outlay decreases by 55.02%.
- The number of full-time employees decreased by 4, which eliminates four positions in the General Fund. Two of the positions, Assistant to the City Administrator and Engineering Technician were vacant. The positions of Economic Development Coordinator and Parks and Recreation Marketing Coordinator represent a reduction in force. Total FTEs are 309.5
- Proposed salary increases for non-union represented employees is 2.5% in April 2020 and a 3% deferred compensation for all employees. In October 2018, a three-year agreement was approved for union-represented employees. Funding is included in this budget for year two of this agreement. All raises are contingent on adequate General Fund revenues.
- Health insurance costs are increasing by 3.86% and workers compensation premiums are increasing by 32.3%.
- Continued funding of the Street Pavement Maintenance Program at $2.5 million.
- The third full year of funding Parks deferred maintenance projects at $4.7 million (a majority of this funding is going to a comprehensive renovation at Wilbur Young Park.)
- Maintain key services and quality of life programs.
- Continued allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as prioritized by the Council for first-time home-buyers, property maintenance, and infrastructure with emphasis on investing in the Downtown District.
- All reserves, contingencies, and designated accounts are still maintained at required levels and approved City Council policies.
- Allocation of $372,544 for the fourth year of the sidewalk maintenance program.
Prior City Budgets can be reviewed on the City’s website at www.bluespringsgov.com either in PDF format or on the City’s OpenGov platform.