Farmington Approves 2017 City Budget

COUNCIL OKS NEW POLICE POSITION

FARMINGTON -- Farmington City Council approved the city's 2017 budget earlier this month, giving a 3-percent cost-of-living raise to city employees and creating a new officer's position for the Farmington Police Department.

This is the second consecutive year the city has added a new police officer's job. The position will give Farmington 12 full-time police employees and one part-time officer.

Ernie Penn, mayor, told Council members that line items in city departments remain about the same for 2017 as budgeted in 2016.

The city projects to receive about $2.7 million in revenue in 2017 for the General Fund, compared to $2.6 million in 2016. The budget shows revenue from franchise fees would increase from $350,000 in 2016 to $375,000 in 2017 and revenue from sales tax collections is estimated to increase $88,000 for the year, from $1.54 million in 2016 to about $1.61 million in 2017.

Other projected revenue includes $415,000 from the 5-mill property tax, $184,500 from permits and fees and $100,000 from state turnback funds.

The 2017 budget for the General Fund is $2.7 million with $989,870 for the police department, $815,231 going to the administrative department, $344,790 for the fire department and $247,849 for the parks department.

The street department's budget is $585,250 and the library's budget is $188,000.

Council members also approved a resolution adopting an amended budget for 2016. This is an annual housekeeping measure to balance the budget based on actual revenues and expenditures for the year.

The 2016 General Fund budget was amended to show that actual expenses exceeded budgeted expenses by more than $250,000. The administration department's budget was over by $300,000 and this was attributed to costs to move forward on a new public works building, purchasing a new movable traffic sign and repairing the roof over City Hall and the fire department.

Most departments covered by the General Fund came in under budget. Only administrative expenses and the fire department's budget exceeded estimates.

The street department exceeded its budget by almost $445,000 and this was due to the city's portion to pay for improvements to Highway 170. Currently, this project is going through the design and engineering stage.

In addition, the Council approved a resolution to adopt amendments to the city's comprehensive land use plan.

City business manager Melissa McCarville explained that Farmington Planning Commission periodically reviews the land use plan to update it. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the plan and did not receive any comments, McCarville said.

The plan changed two areas from future commercial zones to low/medium density residential. Both areas are along Highway 170. At one point, planners thought these areas would develop commercially, McCarville said.

The City Council also approved a motion to waive right of first refusal for a house and property located at 450 W. Main St., behind the fire department. The homeowners approached the city to see if it would be interested in purchasing the property.

An inspection of the house by city building inspector Rick Bramall shows the structure would need lots of work.

Penn advised against purchasing the property.

"Based on the condition of the house, I don't think it would be a wise investment at this time," Penn said.

Bramall said he absolutely concurred.

General News on 12/28/2016