Warrenton's new budget includes 3 percent increases in water and sewer rates and employee wages, while projecting a 5 percent decrease in sales tax revenue from last year's budgeted amount. Warrenton aldermen approved the new fiscal year budget, which went into effect July 1, at their June 21 meeting. The total projected revenue from all funds is $8,327,032, of which $2,464,995 is from the water and sewer fund and $2,278,800 is from sales tax. Real estate and personal property tax revenues are projected at $415,700, lower than last year's budgeted amount of $469,700. The tourism tax is expected to generate $120,000, $5,000 less than what was budgeted a year ago. The total operating expense, excluding capital expenditures and debt service, is projected at $5,955,554. The reduced sales tax projections, Director of Operations/Finance Officer Terri Thorn said, is primarily due to the possibility of reduced shopping at the outlet mall. She said the unknown economic outlook made preparing the budget a challenge for city staff. "It was a more difficult task this year than what we've seen in the past years with trying to make sure we continue to provide the services we need to and recognizing the economy - while you hear reports things are improving - we really have not seen any significant improvements here locally at this point," she said. The new water and sewer rates will be reflected on the August bill. According to city officials, the average monthly water and sewer bill for residential customers inside the city will increase 73 cents. Commercial customers will see their payments go up $2.47. Residential and commercial customers outside the city limits will see their bills increase $1.40 and $8.72, respectively. The current average monthly bills are $36.72 (city residential), $123.47 (city commercial), $69.99 (outside residential) and $435.77 (outside commercial). Aldermen reached the decision on the rate hike in April after considering 2 and 5 percent increases. Last year, rates went up 5 percent. The city estimates spending $1,952,570 in the next fiscal year on capital improvements, of which $292,000 had been allocated in the prior year's budget for projects that weren't completed. One of the more costly proposed projects include constructing an all-inclusive playground at Morgan Park. The city has appropriated $150,000 for the project. Additional improvements to the athletic complex are expected to cost $94,100. Sand volleyball courts, pavilion, bathroom and electric improvements are a portion of the scheduled work at the complex. The city is prepared to spend $306,100 for repairs and improvements to multiple streets and sidewalks. That amount includes $76,000 to cover the city's portion of the joint project with MoDOT to resurface Main Street and improve the curb depth to keep stormwater from entering businesses. The city anticipates spending $40,000 for preliminary engineering services in regards to possible wastewater treatment plan expansion. Grant funds will partially reimburse the city for $472,550 that has been budgeted for erecting streetlights on Highway 47, parking and stormwater improvements in the downtown area, and a tree maintenance and inventory project. The budget also includes $322,660 for the purchase of nine vehicles - four cars for the police department, a van for grounds and maintenance department, three vehicles and a dump truck for the water department - along with equipment purchases for various departments. The city's debt service is $1,131,954, of which includes $124,222 for the city hall expansion. The city also is expecting a 10 percent increase in utility expenses, a 3.2 percent jump in health insurance premiums and 5 percent bump in liability and property insurance. City employees will receive pay increases this year, one year after the city could not afford increasing wages. The raise will cost the city an additional $70,000. The city also has allocated $15,000 toward an initiative to open a satellite college campus in Warrenton. The funds, which remain from last year's budget, will be used with others appropriated from the county and Warren County R-III School District to defray startup costs. Also included in the budget is contract renewals for local service agencies Agape Ministry of Warren County ($14,000), Turning Point ($3,000) and the Warren County Senior Center ($8,000). Turning Point had requested $12,000, but the $9,000 difference is expected to be covered by a $2 surcharge on municipal court costs. State statute allows the surcharge to be added to benefit victims of domestic violence. An ordinance amendment implementing the new surcharge was approved by aldermen at the June 21 meeting.