Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

06/13/2013 – Updated 06/18/13

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Casey Toomay, Budget Manager

CC:

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager / City Clerk

RE:

2014 Budget Update

 

Pursuant to your request, an update on the 2014 budget is provided below.

 

General Fund Information

While official notice has still not be received by the City, current projections are that the assessed valuation used to build the 2014 budget will be the same as the amount used to build the 2013 budget. 

 

As shown in the attached fund summary (revised 06/18/13), the City Manager’s recommended budget will likely include a 0.3 mill increase for the general fund in order to fund four additional positions for emergency communications, as well as increased police overtime costs and equipment needs in public works. 

 

The City Manager’s recommended general fund expenditure budget is likely to be $2,753,368, or 3.9%, more than the 2013 budget.  A memo outlining cost drivers behind this increase is attached. 

 

Mill Levy Options

A memo outlining the unfunded requests for 2014 that remain and the mill levy increase that would be required to fund them is attached.

 

City Commission Inquiries

Commissioners have asked questions and requested information related to the development of the 2014 budget.  The attached memo provides responses to many of these inquiries.  Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

 

City Commission Goals Summary

A summary of the City Commission discussion of the projects and goals they would like to work on over the next eighteen months to two years is attached.  Staff seeks additional direction and encourages additional discussion of these and other City Commission goals.    Correspondences - Added 06/18/13

 

Capital Projects

The 2014 City Manager’s Recommended Budget will contain a number of capital projects as outlined in the City’s multi-year Capital Improvement Plan.  Projects include:

·         23rd and Iowa

·         Regional Recreation Center Infrastructure Improvements – year 2 of 2

·         31st Street, Haskell to O’Connell Phase I

·         Emergency Communications Center Upgrades – year 2 of 3

·         Fire Medical Apparatus – Replacement of Quint Unit 614

·         Kasold, Harvard to Bob Billings Parkway – Engineering and Right of way acquisition

·         Wakarusa, Oread West to Legends Drive, Phase I

·         Maple Street Pump Station- Phase II

 

Future Budget Dates

An updated budget calendar is attached.