By Krystal J. Carman
June 26, 2009 — With more than $66,000 in carry over funds, the Town of Chelsea will be operating off of a $700,000 budget next year and town employees may be getting a raise.
Even though last month’s sales tax was only $29,000 — the lowest of the year so far — Town Administrator Kenny Weast said revenue, including the year’s total for sales tax income, is up.
“This is the best year for sales tax in Chelsea,” Weast said. “It’s the highest we’ve received since I’ve been here.”
Approximately $66,900 left over from the 2008-2009 budget was added to this year’s budget making the total budget $724,649.35. That amount includes approximately $686,000 in the general fund.
Not many changes were made to this year’s budget with the exception of employee raises.
Town employees haven’t received a raise in two years, according to Weast. But with a 6 percent raise budgeted this year, Weast is hopeful those raises will be given.
There are no projects slated for streets and alleys this year. The town’s emergency management department was allocated $1,000 and that amount may increase year by year.
“We will be able to give them more money as the revenue goes up,” Weast said. “They can use that money for storm spotting and radios and equipment.”
Town government is the second biggest account on the budget and includes salaries for Weast and newly appointed building official Dale Clark.
The police department’s budget was slashed by $34,000 for this year. The department has budgeted salaries for three full-time officers and one part-time officer, but only two full-time officers are currently employed.
Weast described the department as being “the biggest money eater” in the past, but stated for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department came in under budget for the first time.
The parks department budget is normally around $360 per year with little changes, except for the 2008-2009 budget. Over the past few months, town officials have purchased and installed several new pieces of equipment, including new swings and a climber. The parks fund was allocated additional money to update and replace existing equipment at McSpadden Park.
For the 2009-2010 budget, $8,000 has been placed in the parks fund to build a pocket park in downtown Chelsea. The pocket park project originated during meetings held in the community concerning the revitalization of downtown Chelsea.
