Though the financial picture was more promising for Wright City a year ago at this time, officials still feel the city remains on solid financial footing. Next year's budget projects spending at $3,035,168 and revenue at $2,831,895. The city is estimating general fund expenditures to be $1,498,827 with revenues at $1,446,500. The city began the year with a $428,266 balance in the general fund and is projected to end 2012 with a $375,939 balance. In 2011, the budget projected spending at $2,984,522, and anticipated income of $2,707,000. Of that, the general fund had an estimated $1,411,981 in expenditures and $1,325,425 in revenue. "It's a status quo budget," said Karen Girondo, city treasurer/economic development director. "There are a whole lot of changes. It's one we have to live with." Aldermen unanimously adopted the new budget at their Dec. 8 meeting. It goes into effect Jan. 1. The projected revenue shortfall will be covered by surplus funds carried over from the 2011 budget, according to Girondo. She said some of the deficit is caused by rising costs that are out of the city's control. "(The budget) wasn't as bad as 2008 and 2009, even 2010, but not as easy as 2011," Girondo said. "It's just costing so much more. Electric costs are going up, operating costs; it wasn't a difficult budget but there is no wiggle room." The budget includes a 3-percent raise in payroll costs, though Girondo said it was unknown how that will be distributed to employees. That decision still rests with the city's elected officials. If the payroll increase is distributed evenly, it would amount to just under a 50 cent per hour raise for employees. A year ago, all full- and part-time employees received a 50-cent increase in their hourly pay. Two full-time employees may be added during the year, Girondo said. One of those would be a new full-time police officer, though that decision won't be decided until after the first quarter of the year. A public works employee also may be promoted from part-time to full-time status. Water and sewer rates will remain the same, though Girondo acknowledged city officials may review any need for possible increases later in the year. The city budgeted $305,000 in sales tax revenue in 2012, a projected increase of around $2,000 than what is expected to be received this year. The city had budgeted $290,000 in sales tax revenue in 2011 and $265,000 in 2010. Girondo attributed the sales tax increase to the city's continued population growth and more shopping being done locally. She noted that this year's sales tax projections don't reflect the recent opening of two restaurants, Big Boy's and the Branding Iron Steakhouse, "I really think people are shopping at home more," Girondo said. This year's budget also includes another $125,000 appropriated for the fifth and final phase of the Kerland Subdivision waterline replacement project. In the past four years, the city has spent around $733,000 for the first four phases combined. Girondo said that any money left over from next year's waterline project will be used to replace other lines in the city that need to be upgraded. No other significant capital projects are planned for the year, Girondo said, though $120,000 has been allocated for major road repairs, which is funded entirely from sales tax revenue, and $8,500 for equipment for the road department. The city also has committed $10,000 toward the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council, a new nonprofit private and public sector partnership designed to pursue job-creating projects and grow existing businesses. The new organization is currently in the forming stages and finalizing membership dues for both the private and public sectors.