Meeting Summary
The Stillwater City Council held a special meeting to present the preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The presentation focused on departmental accomplishments and future service expectations rather than detailed numerical data, which will be refined and presented later. A significant highlight was the successful consolidation of maintenance functions into a new Operations Department, leading to increased efficiency and improved service delivery.
Key Decisions & Votes
Consent Docket
01:00The single item on the consent docket was approved unanimously by the council.
Upcoming Community Events
Budget Fair
To be held at the community center, providing an opportunity for the public to discuss the budget with staff and council members.
Public Hearing for Budget
A formal public hearing for the budget will be held, with notice to be sent out.
Financial Matters
General Fund and SUA Operating Budget
The proposed operating budget for the general fund and Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) for the coming fiscal year, excluding capital expenditures.
City Manager Budget
Proposed with a zero increase, serving as the oversight management office for city operations and a central point of contact for citizens.
Finance Department Budget
Increases are primarily due to a reorganization, including two new employees and several promotions, and maintenance contracts for new software.
IT Department Budget
Increases are due to maintenance contracts on software implemented in the police department, totaling about $24,000.
BID Division Budget
Will remain the same as last year until the board presents a new request, as it is a restricted fund.
Airport Operations Budget
Projected budget for the coming year, following a record year in air operations and jet fuel sales.
Stillwater Police, Emergency Management, and Animal Welfare Budget
Combined operational budget for these departments.
Stillwater Fire Department Operations Budget
Operational budget for the fire department, which includes funding for a new van using rural fire funds.
Transportation Operations Budget
Budget for management and engineering functions, a decrease due to moving traffic control and streets to the new Operations Department.
Transportation Fee Fund and Half-Cent Sales Tax
Restricted funds for transportation projects, including road and intersection improvements.
Human Resources Budget
No significant change in total, covering employment management, training, compensation, and legal compliance.
Parks and Recreation Budget
A decrease due to moving maintenance functions to the Operations Department and an agreement with the Stillwater Area Sports Association.
Development Services Budget
Includes storm water programs, managing planning, development, building code enforcement, and grants.
Operations Department (Field Services - General Fund)
New department consolidating park maintenance, street maintenance, traffic control, and facilities maintenance.
SUA Administration Budget
Approximately four-fifths of this budget covers bank service charges and bad debt, with a $150,000 contingency.
SUA Insurance
SUA's contribution to the self-insurance fund.
Environmental Programs Division Budget
Budget for two individuals assisting with environmental compliance, industrial pre-treatment, and special events.
Electric Department Budget
Proposed budget for operating, maintaining, rebuilding, and expanding the city's electric distribution, transmission, and generation systems.
Purchase Power (Electricity)
Expected expenditure for purchasing electricity from GRDA in the coming year.
Water Department Budget
Includes admin, engineering, water treatment plant, and water distribution (budgeted here for accounting purposes).
Wastewater Department Budget
Includes admin, engineering, wastewater treatment plant, and wastewater collection system (budgeted here for accounting purposes).
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Budget Fair: April 27th
- Public Hearing for Budget: May 18th
Watch For
- Refined budget projections including capital expenditures
- Budget in brief document for public distribution
- Implementation of form-based codes (April 20th)
- Annual financial review of Waste Management Services (June 1st)
Announcements
- The library budget, submitted by the library board, is included in the general fund budget with a slight increase for personnel.
- A proposal to include a person for CEDA (Stillwater Economic Development Authority) to help coordinate economic development activities will be presented in the next budget presentation.
- The city website is due for a redesign to improve mobile device access, navigation, social media integration, and search engine optimization.
Agenda Summary
Consent Docket
One item on the consent docket.
Preliminary Presentation for Next Fiscal Year Budget
Overview of the budget approach, departmental accomplishments, and future expectations, focusing on operational budgets and major capital needs without full numerical detail.