The Salem City Council has reviewed the non-general fund portion of the city budget.
The budget includes another parks worker and plans to make improvements to the dog park fence and the construction of a walking bridge from the walking trail to the t-pee shelter in Bryan Memorial Park.
City Manager Rex Barbee says $100,000 has been budgeted for soccer complex improvements. He expects bids to be sought on the work in the next few weeks.
Barbee says motor fuel tax funds and grants will be used on several road improvement projects including an overlay on North College from Main to Boone and North Jefferson from Schwartz to Senneff. North Jefferson received considerable damage during the replacement of a sewer line. The resurfacing of West Whitaker from Westgate to Delmar and West Boone from Broadway to College are also scheduled.
The West Kell Street Waterline project will be completed along with engineering for the replacement of the waterline on South Broadway. The water and sewer fund is expected to be under budget following the rate increase last year even with an anticipated $100,000 increase in chemical costs. The gas fund is expected to finish $197,748 over budget, but reserves are available to cover the losses. The gas budget includes $295,000 to replace the natural gas lines on Circle Drive.
The city will make the minimum contribution of $423,414 to the police pension fund.
Finance Director Kelly Barrow says the budget overall is $42,000 in the red, but there are $18-million in reserves to cover the shortfall.
Barbee added revenue estimates are conservative so the city is likely to receive more revenue that forecast.
The entire city budget will be up for final approval at the April 18th meeting.
