Street maintenance and lagoon improvements are at the top of the budgeted items to begin and complete in the current fiscal year in Marthasville.

City officials are continuing with a conservative approach that has led to building the cash reserves over the past couple of years in preparation of larger, more costly projects down the road.

Aldermen adopted the 2010-2011 budget last month. The fiscal year began July 1 and projects  expenditures of $633,300 and revenue of $676,000. 

In the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the city had budgeted $585,800 in revenues and $618,000 in expenditures.

This fiscal year in the general fund, the city estimates spending $215,250, while receiving $234,200.

The city also has budgeted $131,800 in revenues and $71,100 expenditures in the water fund, while the revenue and spending projections in the sewer fund were set at $199,000 and $197,300, respectively.

Similar to the last fiscal year, the city intends to spend about twice the project revenue in the transportation sales/street fund, but the difference of $57,800 will be offset by reserves.

“We have a steady income,” Verges said. “We’re seeing our cash reserves build. We are trying to be fiscally responsible.”

The city has a short list of capital improvement projects planned for the fiscal year. One of the more significant projects expected to begin is piping treated sewage to the Missouri River from the city lagoon. The move is designed to help the city meet DNR regulations and was described as a “cost-effective option.”

Verges said the city will need to receive easements from property owners along a route heading south from the lagoon before work can begin.

“It’s the least impact on the environment,” said Verges, who noted that piping into Tuque Creek would lead to stricter DNR standards.

City officials also continue to talk about the need to increase water storage by constructing a new tower.

“We’re still saving money,” Verges said. “We have money put aside for street improvements and regular maintenance that needs to be done.”

Also included in the budget is $30,000 for a vehicle. The sewer, water and street funds will each contribute $10,000 toward the purchase.

Verges said the state bid list has been reviewed, but the city may opt to look for a used vehicle with low mileage.

“We don’t know what is out there yet,” he said. “We want something to add to the snow removal fleet and big enough for hauling.”

One area where the budget will have to be amended as the fiscal year progresses is the payroll covering the city clerk and treasurer positions. When the budget was approved last month, $19,000 had been budgeted for the two positions combined.

Since then, the board has decided to proceed with hiring a city clerk who would work 32 hours weekly, a move designed to have city hall open longer during the day. A part-time assistant may be hired to help fill in.

Currently, city hall is primarily open in the evenings on weekdays. Verges said hourly rate has not been set and will be determined by the applicant’s experience and background. The part-time position could pay between $10,000 and $12,000, Verges said.

As part of the plan to restructure city hall, the collector position was eliminated late in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. That moved saved the city $7,000.

The city is currently accepting applications for the positions.

“The goal is to have somebody at city hall on a regularly set schedule,” Verges said. “We’re trying to better serve the community

City funds also will be used toward the erection of the pavilion currently housed at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources trailhead and which the city should have in its possession by the end of the month. Verges said city officials have discussed moving the pavilion to the near the playground equipment at the Marthasville City Park.