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Buckhannon begins budget process

BUCKHANNON — Buckhannon City Council has begun discussion on the city’s general fund budget for fiscal year 2018-19.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the general fund budget is balanced at $4,384,463. The budget for fiscal year 2017-18 was 4,414, 275. The proposed budget must be turned in the state auditor’s office by March 28.

Several departments within the city are considered when discussing the upcoming general fund budget, including the police department, fire department, street department, Convention of Visitors Bureau, Stockert Youth Center, housing, administration, historic theater and the parks and flower program.

According to the general fund budget, drafted by finance director Amby Jenkins, the amount preliminary set for public safety is $1,993,587, which includes the police and fire departments and the public safety complex building.

The street department is preliminary set for $1,445,175, and the Stockert Youth Center is drafted for $282,200.

For housing, which includes zoning and property clean up, the drafted general budget has it set for 1.4 percent of the budget. Drafted funds for the CVB are set for 3.6 percent of the budget and one percent for parks/flowers. For the historic theater, 1.3 percent is drafted into the general fund budget.

Administration is drafted for $281,05, but Jenkins said administration also receives funding through the utility boards — water, waste, sanitary and public works – which are not included in the general fund budget. Regarding contributions to outside entities, $60,000 is set for the drafted general fund budget. Outside entities pertain to economic development, the airport, public transit and the health department.

Jenkins said she is expecting funds from the hotel motel tax to increase because of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project coming to the area. Last year, hotel motel tax was at $150,812.83, and for this fiscal year’s drafted budget it is set for $170,000. The CVB will receive 70 percent of the hotel motel tax and the city receive 30 percent. The hotel motel tax funds can only be used for specific items — beautification, parks, arts, etc.

Fireworks and Festival Fridays have not been included in the drafted general fund budget, along with pay increases and the Strawberry Festival.

Jenkins commented that the drafted budget for fiscal year 2018-19 is similar to last year’s general fund budget.

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