By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorFacing a tight financial situation, Wright City will dip into reserves to cover expenditures in the 2015 budget.Officials anticipate spending $3,853,169 this year, with revenues projected at $3,655,975.The $197,194 difference will be covered by reserve funds. The city will start the year with $1,977,079 as a beginning balance in the various funds and projects to finish with a $1,779,885 balance.Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the 2015 budget at a meeting held Dec. 29. The new fiscal year began Jan. 1.City officials noted that tough decisions had to be made to put together the budget, a process that took three drafts prior to board approval.“It was a little more challenging because of the need of the departments and needing extra things,” said Karen Girondo, city treasurer/economic development director.“We have to keep 17 percent of our operating expense in carryover or reserves and we had to make sure we met that.”“With the city growing, there are more things needed and it’s hard to find sufficient revenue to cover it.”Sales tax revenue in the general fund is projected at $325,000, a decrease from strong figures reported in 2014. The city received $328,000 in sales tax last year, $28,000 more than estimated in the last budget. For the park improvement sales tax, the budgeted amount is $68,000. That is slightly down from the $68,615 received in 2014.“I like to keep revenues on the conservative side,” Girondo said. “With some businesses closing, others are picking up the slack. I am seeing an upturn in other businesses.The new budget includes a rate hike for water and sewer customers, the first since 2012, and a 2 percent pay raise for all full-time employees.A public hearing on the proposed water and sewer rates will be held at the Jan. 22 board of aldermen meeting.The minimum base rate for water users will remain at $7 for seniors and $8 for residential and commercial customers for the first 1,000 gallons used, with the rate increasing from $3.35 to $3.85 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter.For sewer customers, the minimum rate will continue to be $6 for seniors and $8 for other users inside the city limits. For every 1,000 gallons used, the fee will increase from $3.55 to $4.85.Rates for water and sewer customers outside the city limits would be twice the figure paid by city residents.Also included in the budget is the city’s annual $10,000 contribution to the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council.City officials decided to not allocate funding for Agape Ministry of Warren County, which helps low-income individuals and families. The agency made a request for funding in November.Major expendituresThe city has planned for several major expenditures in 2015, including replacement of some aging equipment.A water line replacement project is scheduled on Westwoods Road between the North Service Road and Aster Drive. Girondo said $120,000 has been allocated for the work, which is expected to occur in the summer.Another $120,000 has been set aside for street repairs. The city has yet to identify what streets will be improved this year, Girondo said.The city has budgeted $86,500 to buy two police cars, five cameras and one body camera as part of a lease purchase. Another vehicle, a new jet truck for the public works department, also is expected to be bought. Girondo said $60,000 has been allocated for the vehicle, which would replace the current model that is over 30 years old.Other capital expenditures in the new budget include $20,000 for GPS mapping to identify where shut-off valves, lines and fire hydrants are located and $15,000 for a new meter reading system. The city currently uses a handheld reader, but will transition to a laptop-based system.Wright City faces tight budget situation in 2015