FY2013-14 Proposed Budget Available
May 28, 2013
The budget for the City of Muskegon’s 2013-14 fiscal year (7/1/13 – 6/30/14) is now available for public inspection. The City’s financial situation remains very difficult, as it does for most Michigan government units. However, the City’s proposed budget maintains critical services at their current levels without increasing taxes.
Click to view City budget
Highlights:
- There is no increase proposed in the City’s tax rate for general operations.
- A 10% water rate increase is proposed.
- Transportation services for the City’s senior citizens will be restored through a contractual arrangement with a private transportation company.
- A new fire pumper truck is scheduled to be purchased replacing an older piece of equipment that is at the end of its useful life.
- The proposed budget provides funding for 227 full-time positions: 108 police and fire positions and 119 other position categories including public works, clerical and administrative. As recently as 2003, the city had 309 full-time positions.
- The proposed budget includes the full actuarial costs for funding pensions and other retirement benefits. This ensures that these costs are not pushed down the road for future generations to pay.
- Income taxes and state shared revenue appear stable for now. Property taxes, however, have fallen with declining home values and a large number of tax appeals. The City is also confronted with the announced future closing of its largest tax-paying facility – the BC Cobb power plant.
The complete budget is available for review by clicking on the nearby image.
The budget will be discussed in detail at the City Commission work-session to be held Monday June 10th at 5:30PM. A public hearing on the budget will be held the following evening at the regular City commission meeting (Tuesday, June 11, 2012 also at 5:30 PM).
Under City ordinance, final adoption of the budget must occur no later than the second regularly scheduled June meeting (Tuesday, June 25, 2012, 5:30PM).
All meetings will be held in the 1st floor City Commission Chamber of City Hall. City Hall is located at 933 Terrace Street.
If you have questions concerning the budget, you can post them in a comment below or email them to: finance @ postman.org (leave spaces out).