While city officials have not begun work on a 2015-16 budget, Smithville City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson told the mayor and aldermen at last week’s meeting of the council that he did not feel the any increase in tax or water rates will be necessary.
"We're not looking at any property tax increase this year and no water rate increase for city residents," Hendrixson said. "City Financial Consultant Janice Plemmons-Jackson and I have been working on the budget, and we're about 85 percent complete with it as far as the day to day operations. The only thing left to consider is any type of pay wage increase and any capital outlay projects for the coming budget year. I think we can have you a rough draft (proposed budget) by the end of the week. That way you will have time to look over it. I am still waiting on a couple of department heads to get me their wish list. I'll send that to you with the costs and what they are looking for."
Hendrixson said a continuing resolution could be adopted until final passage if the aldermen don't meet the state’s July deadline.
"The state requires you to pass a budget by July 1 of each year. If you don't you're required to pass a continuing budget resolution. We've had to do that once before. I think it was in 2010. It's not the end of the world or anything, but we prefer to have one passed by July 1 if at all possible," he told the board.
A budget workshop/special meeting was set for June 16 at 4 p.m. at city hall.