But they faced even tougher, more daunting, decisions this year in putting together next year's budget. Wright City's budget for the 2009 fiscal year is expected to be approved at a special board of aldermen meeting set for Tuesday, Dec. 30. "It was harder than we thought," said Board President Jim Schuchmann. The proposed 2009 budget calls for spending of just over $2.7 million, or about $450,000 less than the 2008 budget of nearly $3.2 million. "We cut every place we could cut, including areas such as office supplies and employee training classes," said Wright City Treasurer Karen Girondo. Projected tax revenue for the coming year, meanwhile, is estimated at just over $2.5 million, approximately $200,000 less than in 2008. Wright City's 2008 budget called for a gain of about 2 percent in overall revenue. That increase did not materialize. City officials said the 2009 budget does not include pay raises for city employees. But Wright City residents can expect to see water and sewer rates go up in 2009. The proposed budget includes approximately a 10 percent increase in those rates. The current rate calls for residents to pay a minimum charge of $6 for the first 1,000 gallons of water and $2.90 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter. The suggested new rates would be $7 for the first 1,000 gallons and $3.05 for each 1,000 gallons after that. Non-city residents' rates would be twice the figure paid by city residents. Sewer rates are based on water consumption and currently are $5 for the first 1,000 gallons and $2.90 for each additional 1,000 gallons. Under the suggested new rates, city residents would pay $7 for the first 1,000 gallons and $3.05 for every 1,000 gallons after that. A public hearing to discuss the new rates is scheduled for the Jan. 8 aldermen meeting at city hall. Wright City's board has not raised water and sewer rates since 2005. At the board's regular Dec. 11 meeting, Schuchmann noted the city's aldermen would normally meet to approve the 2009 budget on the fourth Thursday of the month. "But since that date is Christmas Day, we needed to call a special session," Schuchmann said. In assessing the projected budget, city officials said they had trimmed nearly $80,000 from what officials had previously described as a "very tight 2008 budget." City officials said they completely eliminated the department of the building inspector for 2009. Ron Mershon had been serving as the building inspector but was fired last summer. Public Works Director Larry Janish has been filling in for Mershon ever since. "We were able to make the necessary adjustments without having to make significant cuts to services or personnel," Schuchmann said. Schuchmann admitted the 2009 revenue picture was "even worse than we faced last year. "We knew, going into this (budget) process, that it would be very tough, very difficult, financially," he added. Schuchmann thanked the department heads for treating their budgets "as if it was their own money." Ward 2 Alderman Richard Denkler, a veteran of past budget committee meetings, also praised department heads for their efforts to keep costs in line. "I've sat through some pretty dreary meetings," said Denkler. "I know how tough it is. I think this is a good budget for Wright City, especially considering the numbers we were working with."