Mayor Dale Verges expects that trend to continue after aldermen adopted the 2009-2010 budget late last month. The city estimates spending $152,500 from the general revenue fund, while receiving $213,650 in revenue. As the books closed on the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the city wound up receiving $244,475.79 in revenue compared to spending $137,292.77. Last year, the city had budgeted $227,550 in revenue and $156,500 in expenditures. Overall, the 2009-2010 budget projects the city will receive $585,800 in revenue and spend $618,000. The 2009-2010 budget went into effect July 1. "We're trying to be conservative and look ahead and not extend ourselves," Verges said. "Fortunately, we came in under budget. We're trying to play it conservatively and not overestimate our income." The city also has budgeted $184,000 in the sewer fund and $123,950 in the water fund. The city expects to spend more than twice the projected revenue in the transportation sales tax/street fund, but the difference of $61,800 will be offset by reserves. This year's budget does include a sizable cut for the police department. The city has budgeted $31,650 for police services, down from $53,750 budgeted a year ago. The police department actually spent $41,773.69 last fiscal year. A line item for purchasing equipment also was cut in half. Last year, the city had budgeted $12,500 and spent $10,850. In the 2009-2010 budget, only $500 has been allocated for equipment. Verges also said city officials decided to stray from hiring part-time officers to fill a 40-hour week. He noted the city has run into past problems where the part-timers weren't reliable. Police Chief Gene Jenkins, who serves as a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff's Department, will continue to work a 30-hour week. "It will be just Gene," Verges said. "The part-timers would do their five to 10 hours and they would gradually fade away. They quit showing up." Jenkins is expected to be paid $22,000. The remainder of the city's employees will continue to be paid the same as last year - $10,000 for city clerk Becky Adams, $9,000 for treasurer Kim Owens and $7,000 for collector Kay Buhr - though Adams wasn't paid the full amount last year. Adams was paid only $8,000 last year in a part-time role though $10,000 was budgeted. By using and building the reserves on hand, Verges said it's a priority of him to get back to the point where a full-time city clerk can be hired. Currently, city hall is open only part time and Adams works only at nights. Verges didn't rule out a full-time hire happening during the 2009-2010 fiscal year. "It leaves something to be demanded," Verges said. "We're not doing the citizens justice by not having a full-time position." ðThe highest priority for the city during the current fiscal year is to improve South Street. Engineering work has been done to widen the street and alleviate stormwater run-off. The city has allocated $100,000 for street improvements, but expects the entire project to cost more. "If we don't do something, we will lose that street," Verges said. Verges also noted that the city is hoping to increase water storage by constructing a new tower within the next year. Another capital improvement project scheduled for this year is repair and replacement of sidewalks located along Highway D between One and Fourth streets. The project will cost $65,000, but will be covered by federal stimulus funds administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Bids were initially due June 30, but the deadline has been extended to July 10, Verges said.