Kalispell approves $47 million city budget

The Kalispell City Council overcame a split vote Tuesday night to adopt a $47.2 million budget for the fiscal year that started on July 1.

Within that is a $9,108,115 general-fund budget that should have more than $309,000 left as cash reserves at the end of June 2010.

Finance Director Amy Robertson said the city expects revenue for the year to come in at $9,191,010 for the general fund. With all other budgets operating outside the general fund totaling $38,081,314, the city's final budget stands at $47,189,429.

The council also adopted a 169.81 mill property-tax levy. The general fund will receive the lion's share of that, at 140.11 mills, with the health insurance fund and two general obligation funds - for the Woodland Park pool and the north Kalispell fire hall - receiving the rest.

The downtown Business Improvement District's requested budget of $130,000 got unanimous approval, as did the Parking Commission's request for $134,318.

Robertson said the state pushed back its deadline to Sept. 22 for cities to submit their final budget numbers this year.

Council member Tim Kluesner voiced concern that city ordinance does not require the approval of two people when making budget fund transfers. Kari Gabriel asked for a written signature instead of a simple computer transfer. And Hank Olson suggested a written request from department heads before transfers are ever made.

In answer, City Manager Jane Howington offered to come back to the council with a procedure for making budget changes, then offer the council a chance to make changes if needed.

She also told the council she plans to reorganize the process for creating the city budget from its beginning phases so it becomes more transparent, then explain it to the council at a future work session.