Wentzville Board Approves 2012 Fiscal Budget
The $45 million budget marks an increase over the 2011 fiscal year budget.
The Wentzville Board of Aldermen Wednesday approved the city's 2012 fiscal year budget.
The budget includes $45,449,672 in budgeted expenditures and $47,129,703 in expected revenues.
The budget includes a $500,000 cut in property taxes over the previous year. The board asked city employees to find the money through cost-cutting measures and improved lean processes.
The property tax cut will amount to about $48 per household.
The 2012 budget ordinance was passed after the board approved a sewer rate hike for 2012. Alderman Rick Stokes noted that the raise put a burden on taxpayers after aldermen had tried to lesson it.
"I know we've talked over this a number of times in a number of areas," he said. "I don't want to be at war with the employees of this city — this is not personal. Thank you for finding the $500,000."
Stokes went on to say that he hoped the cuts were sustainable and that the employees were simply "throwing the board a bone." He pushed for increased efficiency and lower costs throughout the city.
The board passed the budget unanimously.
Municipalities are required to pass a new fiscal year budget each year based on expectations of revenue and expenditures.
The 2012 fiscal year budget breaks down as follows:
| Fund | 2012 Revenues | 2012 Expenditures | 2011 Revenues | 2011 Expenditures |
| General | $15,675,935 | $15,915,173 | $15,014,496 | $15,006,078 |
| Self Insurance | $2,910,109 | $2,800,822 | $2,675,241 | $2,612,908 |
| Park | $3,924,369 | $4,057,319 | $3,570,454 | $3,348,487 |
| Transportation | $3,293,876 | $2,612,293 | $4,372,214 | $4,372,214 |
| Capital | $2,405,886 | $1,893,821 | $2,163,125 | $2,090,442 |
| Water | $4,835,915 | $4,887,682 | $4,972,150 | $4,896,573 |
| Wastewater | $5,348,755 | $4,978,718 | $4,508,181 | $4,005,697 |
| Trash | $1,802,626 | $1,795,567 | $1,730,252 | $1,728,931 |
| NID | $165,491 | $165,491 | $166,270 | $161,940 |
| General Debt | $377,876 | $377,876 | N/A | N/A |
| Park Debt | $1,760,443 | $1,760,443 | N/A |
N/A |
| WEDC General Debt | $167,213 | $167,213 | $582,574 | $582,574 |
| WEDC Water Debt | $651,072 | $651,072 | $668,440 | $668,440 |
| WEDC Sewer Debt | $601,762 | $601,762 | $594,620 | $594,620 |
| SRF Debt | $2,784,420 | $2,784,420 | $3,021,688 | $3,008,650 |
| CNG | N/A | N/A | $19,802 | $19,802 |
| Subtotal | $46,705,748 | $45,449,672 | $44,707,148 | $43,744,997 |
| Approved Use of Fund Balance | $423,955 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TOTAL | $47,129,703 | $45,449,672 | $44,707,148 | $43,744,997 |
*Editor's Note: The 2011 budget numbers come from the original budget ordianance passed last fall. The budget has since been amended to reflect changes in revenue/expenditures.
