“There is nothing more satisfying than having plans.” — Lalita Tademy
Last week a resident asked me what street projects will occur in 2014. The resident also inquired about equipment purchases. I am always happy to provide information to constituents. Believing others also might be interested, I decided to answer the question in this week’s article.
The city plans both for the present and the future, as is evidenced by the city’s annual budget. Our capital improvement budget projects out five years. Sometimes modifications are necessary. A capital improvement is defined in our budget as any development of, or improvement to physical facilities that will result in a minimum useful life of at least three years.
In reviewing our 2014 city budget, for every dollar spent, the following amount goes toward these services: 26 cents to public safety, police, fire and building inspections; 18 cents to debt service, principal and interest payments; 16 cents to public works, street maintenance, snow plowing and waste collection; 10 cents to capital street improvements; 10 cents to capital equipment and improvements; 9 cents to education and recreation (parks and rec, library, civic center); 8 cents to general government (City Hall); 2 cents to public transportation (City Cab); 1 cent to cemetery, airport, community programs, forestry and planning.
Here is a list of 2014 expenditures:
• Police Department: police squad replacement $24,000, digital in-squad camera (two) $6,400, mobile radio replacement and update (four) $16,200, Tazer replacement and upgrade (eight) $9,752.
• Public Works Department: dump truck, $43,000; loader, $135,000; paint stripper, $7,000; Geo unit, $6,000; two traffic signal controllers, $16,000; Mountain Bay Trail signage, $4,500; robotic total station, 37,500.
• Park and Recreation Department: Memorial Park shelter and restrooms, $150,000; park restroom updates, $16,000; Franklin School Park master plan, $7,500; Spirit of Shawano Park renovation, $25,000; plow truck, $27,550; diamond groomer, $13,000; playground equipment, $20,000; weight room equipment, $10,000; cemetery sweeper, $29,000 (from Perpetual Care Fund); cemetery arc GIS (three) and laptop, $5,050; cemetery stump grinding and restoration, $2,500; gazebo Sturgeon Park, $25,000 (Rotary reimburses at $5,000 per year).
• Fire Department: new tank and pump on truck No. 57, $200,000; 20 air bottles per year at $640 each. Note: Surrounding townships pay a portion.
• City Hall, Library, Civic Center: agenda management software, $9,000; revaluation, $20,000; office computers, $2,500; library lighting upgrades, $7,000; Civic Center improvements, $33,400.
• Major street reconstruction: Franklin Street (Third to Fourth), $85,000; Third Street (Lafayette to Washington), $125,000; Bartlett (Division to Eagle), $155,000; Lafayette (Eagle to Picnic), $120,000.
• Street pulverizing and relay projects: Park Street (Ridlington to Robin), $95,000; Stevens Street (Lincoln to Union), $40,000; Danks Street (Bartlett to Franklin), $120,000; Stevens Street (Bartlett to Lafayette), $90,000.
Figures for the 2014 projects and equipment purchases are estimates. Budget amendments that change a department’s appropriation or are transfers between departments or funds must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Common Council.
The city prepares an annual budget for all governmental and proprietary funds based on generally accepted accounting principles. The city participates in the State Expenditure Restraint payment program whenever the proposed city tax rate exceeds 5 mills.
It looks like Mother Nature is already attacking our snow removal budget! I’m sure the snowmobilers and ice fishermen are appreciating the snow and cold. Keep warm (and your sidewalks shoveled). See you next week.
The answer to last week’s trivia question — Who was the general manager for the Shawano Evening Leader in 1982? — is David McAdow.
This week’s question is: Can you name the restaurant (1214 E. Green Bay St.) owned by James Huxhold in 1985?
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