Wasilla budget approved

WASILLA -- The Wasilla City Council has passed the fiscal year 2005 budget for the city, reaching the council's goal to have a balanced budget, as well as managing to find an excess of $101,279 projected revenue above the approved expenditures.

The extra revenue comes partially as a result of the new contract between the city and the Alaska State Troopers for the city's new dispatch center. The dispatch center's total budget is $1,207,000, with the troopers paying $905,028 for dispatch services.

"We're not just contracting [with the state], it's a partnership," said Wasilla mayor Dianne Keller.

The city's total expenditures, not including transfers between funds, is $13,233,322, according to the figures presented during budget discussions. That figure does not including money to be spent on capital projects. The council will begin reviewing the capital budget this month.

"We've gone through all other funds but capital projects," said Wasilla finance director Ted Leonard. "We will come back and amend for capital projects after June 4."

Leonard estimated that after the capital projects budget is approved, the city's general fund will hold steady at $4,221,057, which is above the required minimum balance. The general fund acts as the city's savings account, which can be dipped into to cover costs unforeseen in the budget. One such cost may end up being fuel. Council members expressed concern that the city may come up short in budgeting for fuel, due to recent increases in gas costs.

"Fuel is something we may have to come back and visit," Keller said.

The mayor can approve changes in the budget throughout the year, but must come back to the council and provide a plan to replenish the general fund if it dips below the minimum balance.

The multi-use sports complex budget of $866,768 is something Wasilla's recreation and cultural services manager Bruce Urban hopes will not require adjustments during FY05. The budget includes funding for 10.65 full-time equivalent positions.

"A lot of this is simply a calculation based on past experiences I've had and the little experience we've had with this facility," Urban said. "I'm a very optimistic person and this budget shows that."

Urban said he hopes to generate funds by selling the naming rights of the complex.

"Think outside the box is our staff motto," Urban said.

Council members who were present at the special budget meeting Wednesday night -- Council Member Noel Lowe was excused -- all expressed thanks to the different departments for a clear-cut budget that was reviewed and passed in a little less than a month.

"I want to say thank you to the incredible staff that made this budget cycle painless," said Council Member Diane Straub. "We do see the behind-the-scenes work by what comes in front of us."

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.