May 14, 2007
WALTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
2007/2008 CITY OF WALTON PROPOSED BUDGET AND
REPORT TO THE COUNCIL AND CITIZENS ON THE CONDITION AND NEEDS OF THE
CITY.
Enclosed you will find a copy of the proposed
2007/2008 Budget. There has been a lot of thought and review put
into this document. Each department head submitted their request;
the Finance Clerk compiled it with revenue sources after her review
of my preliminary review. Deletion, additions and revisions
followed, and then the Auditor reviewed it for this meeting.
Every account and revenue source was checked for
presentation to you and the best possible financial statement for
your consideration and approval. There may be some items that you
will have questions about, but I hope the technical information
provided will answer those questions. I have provided for full
accountability of all City accounts and funds, this easy to read
format will be beneficial in your review. As the City of Walton
continues to grow, so will our responsibilities, so bear in mind
that an effective work force is the key to our demeanor and
versatility of these rapidly changing times. Our goal must be to
provide efficient and cost effective services to our
citizens.
General Government, the revenue sources are
in sound shape. Our preliminary review of the uncertified PVA
assessment rolls indicates that the City can maintain the current
property tax rate of $1.13 per thousand. I feel we should
leave the Bank Deposit, Tangible Tax and Insurance Premium Tax rates
the same. Due to our past and current growth projections, I see no
reason to consider starting either an Occupational License Fee or
Payroll Tax in the City.
The Downtown District should be maintained, with
new ideas and features that could make the Downtown District more
inviting. In planning for growth, additional funds have been added
to Economic Development for possible incentives.
Walton-Verona Veterans Memorial, The
Walton-Verona Veterans Memorial located on City property has been
completed. An additional $2,000 is budgeted from the General
Government Fund for maintenance and upkeep of the Memorial.
Public Works Department/Street Repairs,
Continued funding needs to be transferred to the Municipal Road Aid
Fund, with the Cable Fee, LGEA, Vehicle Tax and a transfer of
$200,000 from the General Fund. These additional funds are necessary
to offset this increase as we continue to meet the growing demands
for street repairs, storm water drainage work, new sidewalks and
sidewalk repairs. There is a need to upgrade City equipment this
year, by purchasing a new backhoe.
The City should start a storm water informational
program as it relates to rain water runoff. The elements should
include awareness that litter, oil, anti-freeze and associated
products that wash down storm drains will pollute the creeks they
flow into. The City should continue with the Great American Cleanup
and the Fall Cleanup to help remove additional products from
entering storm drains. Investigate installing additional storm water
litter grates and continue monthly street sweeping to reduce
additional litter into storm drainage basins.
Water and Sewer Division, Several items:
Welch Avenue Lift station replacement-relocation (Walton Town
Center/Cauthen Run Subdivision), Locust Street Lift Station removal
(WWTP II), water line upgrades, water line loop to Welsh Avenue
(Walton Town Center), water tower maintenance, pro-read meter
replacement program, 2nd water connection to Northern
Kentucky Water (South US 25) and a continued allocation of funds for
more l/l Study. The projected cost of the wastewater treatment
expansion is $3,500,000. We have received a million dollars from KIA/Tobacco
Grant and we have applied for a million dollar State CDBG
Fund/Public Facility, with the shortfall being covered by a Bond
Issue. The sewer treatment plant expansion project should be ready
to start in the 2007/2008-budget year. There may be a need for a
sewer rate increase, which will be reviewed, based on our funding
sources and final cost.
Walton Community Parks/Gaines Tavern History
Center, will continue to receive our close attention; they
continue to be important focal points in Walton. The City and Parks
Department will continue to update the activities at The Walton
Community Park until we can impact a majority of our Citizens. An
application has been filed with the Transportation Cabinet of
Kentucky for the Gaines Tavern History Center (phase II) outside
restoration. The Park Committee is planning some additional
improvements this year; a transfer of $100,000 from General Fund
will be necessary.
Community Programs/Communication, The City
should continue established programs, with the possibility of trying
to enhance them or considering some additional seasonal programs.
The current community programs are: The Easter Egg Hunt, Great
American Cleanup, Concerts on Main, Summer Park Program,
Walton-Verona Summer Program, Memorial Day, Old Fashion Day, Fall
Cleanup, Veterans Day and Christmas on Main.
Communications should continue between the City
and other agencies to improve the quality of life in Walton and the
surrounding area. These agencies should include, but not limited to
the Walton-Verona Schools, St. Joseph Academy, Walton Fire
Department, Boone County Library, National Guard, Tri-Ed, NKADD,
Senior Services, Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff Departments, Planning
Commissions, Boone County Public Works, DES, Boone County Fiscal
Court and of course the Commonwealth of Kentucky agencies in
Frankfort.
In this meeting you will be presented a cost
breakdown for each Department with a technical assistance for your
review and comments. If you have any questions or need additional
information on this budget proposal call Peggy at City Hall. (I
am available at City Hall on Saturday mornings).
Sincerely,
Mayor Phillip W. Trzop
Budget caucus meeting Tuesday, May 29, 2007, City
Hall at 7:30 pm
