Although the city of Warrenton approved what officials call a conservative budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Mayor Jerry Dyer said the city was able to accommodate each of the city departments’ requests for funds.“We’re about 3 percent ahead in sales tax revenues,” he said, “but the closing of more stores in the Outlet Center offsets that. But overall, I think we’re in pretty good shape.”The Warrenton Board of Aldermen approved the 2013-14 budget 6-0 at its June 18 meeting.RevenuesFinance Manager Gabrielle Currie stated in the budget message that the total projected revenues for all funds of the city are $8,417,617.Two of the major components of the total revenue are water and sewer utility revenues and sales tax revenues.Projected water and sewer revenues are $2,720,091, which anticipates a 3 percent increase in the rate approved by the board at the July 2 meeting.Currie said sales tax revenue for the city is expected to remain flat at $2,401,500, which takes into account the declining revenues from the Warrenton Outlet Center, which currently only has three stores in operation.Real estate and personal property tax revenues are projected at $417,000, a decrease of 1 percent based on estimated receipts for the current year.Currie said of the budgeted amount, $262,000 will be allocated to the general fund, while $155,000 will be designated to the park fund. Water and sewer will continue to maintain a reserve balance of $1.3 million, while the general fund reserves will be $1 million.“I think we need to tell the citizens that any organization that’s financially viable generally has to have three months’ operating expenses as a minimum (in the reserve funds),” said Alderman Gary Auch, finance committee chairman.ExpensesTotal operating expense for all funds is projected at $5,961,791, Currie said, which includes capital expenditures and debt service needs.Included in the expense calculation is a 1.7 percent payroll increase, as well as merit increases totaling $14,560, along with increased health insurance premiums of 9.9 percent.Utilities are expected to increase 12.7 percent, due largely to an anticipated 10 percent increase in electricity.Capital expenditures for the new fiscal year are projected at $4,348,140, Currie said. This includes $1.1 million for projects that had funding allocated in the prior budget, but were not completed by the year’s end.The total debt service incorporated into the budget is $810,536, which is comprised of principal and interest requirements for the year, including $123,296 for the city hall expansion and $500,897 in costs related to previous water and sewer improvements.“It is my hope that the city of Warrenton will continue to see improvement in our local economy within this upcoming fiscal year, with our local businesses experiencing positive results, our housing market reflecting growth, and our residents feeling less financial pressures,” Currie said.Currie also said the staff will continue to find creative ways to overcome the challenges presented by the economic climate as officials re-evaluate services and procedures to maintain the most cost-effective methods of delivering quality services to city residents.