Final budget on Kalispell council agenda

More than $50 million in spending could be approved tonight as the Kalispell City Council vote on the city’s final fiscal year 2016 budget.

The final version of the budget is about $634,000 less than the preliminary version passed in June, according to an appropriations memo from Finance Director Rick Wills.

Much of that decrease comes from a smaller transfer to the Fire Department’s ambulance fund. The department revised the amount after seeing strong revenue in the previous fiscal year. Other factors include adjustments to various enterprise fund projects that will carry into 2016, mainly in sewer and water departments.

Spending out of the Westside Tax Increment Finance District was decreased by $1 million since the early draft. According to Wills’ memo, this was due to a “sharp decline” in the taxable valuation of properties within the district.

Added to the budget since the preliminary draft is money for two additional police officers. That is expected to cost $115,040 for the year and is partially funded by a grant from the federal Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Since 2008, calls for service have increased for police but staffing levels have remained stagnant.

The city is coming out of the previous fiscal year with a surplus of more than $500,000. This has helped the reserve fund bounce back after the council voted to purchase indebted lots at Old School Station.

The final resolution to appropriate funds for that purchase will also be considered by the council. The cost is now $1.3 million, which was originally taken from the general fund reserve.

A public hearing is also set for the Old School Station appropriation. That will take place prior to the resolution vote.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.