The Pella City Council reviewed the upcoming fiscal year budget at a second workshop last night.

Pella Fire, Public Works, and City Hall all presented their long term improvement plans and their needs for the 2018 budget. Following the department presentations, the council reviewed the overall process and what they will consider at the upcoming March 7th public hearing. The city anticipates spending $38 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

Summary of decisions for council to consider in March:
– Keep the city’s property tax rate at $10.20 per $1000
– Electric and wastewater rates maintained
– Water rate increase of 7 percent due to improvement plan financing
– Personnel increases overall of 3.21%, including new hires at Planning and Zoning and Community Services and a 2.5 percent cost of living increase
– Consideration of a PACE Alliance Funding Allotment

– Capital Improvement Projects (estimated FY 2018 costs):
Library budget ($17,000)
Electric ($1.36 million)
Community Services ($526,000) – majority is Caldwell Park Improvements
Police ($72100)
Pella Fire ($101,400 for City Allocations)
Public Works:
– Wastewater ($159,500)
– Water ($408,500)
– Streets ($2.3 million) – Elm, Columbus, Back to Brick, Washington Street-163 Interchange Traffic Control, Clark Street and T-17 overlay, Gravel Roads, Vermeer Road overlay planning
– Airport – ($504,000) repairs
– City Hall ($133,000) – City Council Tablets and Emails, Telecommunications Feasibility Study,
– Planning and Zoning ($30,000)