Ronan budget allows for pay raises, ‘wish list’
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RONAN – The preliminary budget for the City of Ronan’s current fiscal year allows for staff raises and one-time expenditures that the town government has not always had funds for in the past.
“There were years when we had to keep cutting things to get (the balance) to come to zero,” City Clerk Kaylene Melton said. “But the last couple of years we’ve just been using expenditure and revenue and leaving that money there sitting in reserve.”
The situation is an about-face from last year, when the council decided to cut the job of the parks and recreation director because of a funding shortage.
City officials plan to use the approximately $129,000 left over in its general fund from previous years to use for larger, one-time expenses. Public Works Director Dan Miller presented the council with his wish list of items that include park and street projects not covered in his regular budget. Police Chief Ken Weaver said he would likely give the council a list of items needed for purchase soon.
Melton said she likes to build the monies in the general fund in case of emergency, but that the City’s auditor has warned her “not to hoard money.”
Councilmember Cal Hardy said he didn’t want to use the entire cushion that the City has worked hard to build.
“Maybe we can dip into it a small amount,” Hardy said.
Councilmember Roger Romero said the City still needs to budget within its projected revenue for most items.
“For the stuff that we need daily, we need to stay within our budget,” Romero said. “If we have something we really need, I don’t mind dipping into that.”
