HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Budget Highlights.pdfBUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
City of Rexburg 2016 Budget
Total Budget: $ 76,726,000 up $ 14,263,100 from the current 2015 budget as of June 15, 2015. This
increase is due significantly to water, sewer and street construction projects.
The General Fund has a $ 133,400 Contingency for unforeseen increases in expenditures or reductions
in revenues, which is funded by excess carryover reserves that is forecasted to be in the general fund at
the end of fiscal year 2015.
Revenues available from the Street Operations Fund for maintenance, street reconstruction, and the
construction of new streets are $ 3,014,500. With the passage of House Bill 312, which increased the gas
tax and registration fees, the city expects to receive up to a 30% increase in fiscal year 2016 over the
prior fiscal year in Highway user funds distributed from the State. Major street projects include the
reconstruction of 5th West from 1st S to 4th S, which includes the addition of a Storm Sewer Line. We
will also be widening 2nd East, which is budgeted to be reimbursed by urban renewal contributions.
Property tax revenues are estimated to increase about $ 312,300 to a total of $ 4,000,600, mostly due to
newly constructed buildings. The current City property tax levy rate is at $ 417 per $ 100,000 of taxable
value, which is still one of the lowest for most cities in southeast Idaho and other similar size cities.
Six full-time personnel positions are scheduled to be funded this budget year with one of those being a
shift from part time personnel to a full time position and another in wastewater returning us to our prior
service level in 2013. The positions are in public works, police patrol (2), human resources, customer
service, and arts.
Increases in utility rates will be about 1.3 % for the average homeowner, or about $ 1.18 per month,
which is attributed to a slight increase in the garbage, water, and wastewater rates due to increased costs.
Included in the budget is the completion of the Center Street Fire Station Addition of a second floor,
which began in Fiscal Year 2014 and should be completed in Fall 2015. The completion of a new Street
Shop in Fall 2015 is also budgeted. The substantial costs of both these projects should occur in Fiscal
Year 2015.
Major utility construction projects include a major upgrade to our water facilities and a final phase at
the wastewater treatment plant to eliminate odors, add new capacity, and help with the disposal of the
bio-solids. The water project will provide needed production, storage, and delivery capacity to meet the
current water demands and future water demands as our population grows. The water upgrades will be
funded with a combination of operating reserves and a loan from the Department of Environmental
Quality of up to $11,100,000, which includes principal forgiveness of up to $2,211,300. We project to
spend over $12,000,000 on the water improvements over two years. The Wastewater improvements
include a final phase at the wastewater treatment plant that will use a process of pasteurization to bring our
end product to a Class A. The projected costs for this final phase at the wastewater plant over the
next two years is expected to not exceed $6,000,000 and is being funded with current operating and
capital reserves. The Airport Relocation Master Plan Study will conclude in 2015 and will help
determine the future airport needs and projects. These projects are funded approximately 90% by the FAA,
up to 5% by the State of Idaho, and the rest by the City and the County.
$160,000 is budgeted for Riverside Park that includes the completion of the open land (green space) to
the north of the newly completed parking lot and between the Teton River and the Canal. This
improvement is budgeted to be funded by Park Impact fees with some contributions from the North
Highway Urban Renewal District. The City has budgeted $ 800,000 to continue constructing a new
baseball/softball quad at Community Fields and the projected completion date of this project is 2017.
This budget includes the Community Safety Lighting Fund of $ 295,300, which is available for street
lighting construction projects, with the remainder budgeted for street light maintenance.