Ephrata moves ahead in budget process

City's budget to be adopted by Dec. 31

EPHRATA — Mayor Chris Jacobson delivered his 2006 proposed budget to to Ephrata City Council on Wednesday, calling it a balanced budget plan that continues to demand new efficiencies while maintaining services at current levels.

"The City of Ephrata saw modest and encouraging growth in 2005," Jacobson wrote in his 2006 budget message. "By preserving the minimum staff, eliminating the ineffective spending, and creatively using the resources that the public has provided Ephrata; we are able, put simply, to do the most with what we receive."

For 2006, the administration has proposed an $8,826,656 budget, representing a 2.91 percent increase from the previous year. The mayor also expects to derive extra income from new construction in 2006, but excluded those numbers from calculations on the proposed budget.

"Despite revenues that are still 36 percent lower than they were just four years ago, we have been able to maximize and take advantage of a rise in our population," Jacobson wrote.

Jacobson believes the increase in overall revenue was fueled by the economic expansion of the larger population, which grew by about 2 percent in 2005.

City Administrator Wes Crago said the population growth brought increased revenues in the form of utility fees, which make up about 46 percent of the city's overall revenue.

"This manifested itself in more income from our utilities without a rate change, and improved property and sales tax revenues, again without a rate hike," Jacobson stated.

Revenue from property taxes will increase 6 percent and sales tax will rise 1 percent, both a result of a good economy, Crago said.

Jacobson will spend $20,636 from cash reserves in order to stabilize the 2006 budget. "This is a decrease of over 73 percent from last year, representing a more efficient budget," he stated.

The mayor hit one speed bump during Wednesday's council meeting when former Ephrata Mayor Les Parr trashed the city's plan to add a full-time code enforcement officer to the city's payroll in the building department.

Parr said the city doesn't need a code enforcement officer and should not spend $30,000 to $40,000 a year to add another level of bureaucracy. He said Grant County has one person in that position for the entire county and he doesn't see why Ephrata would need one of its own.

"I just think the money could be spent somewhere else," Parr said.

The 2006 budget will continue to be guided by feedback from the community with public hearings on Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 at City Hall, both will begin at 7 p.m.

Dec. 31 is the deadline for budget adoption and public comment will be accepted at all council meetings up to that date.