Public hearing for budget Nov. 19

Ritzville City Council will conduct a public hearing on its 2014 preliminary budget and the proposed taxes and fees for next year on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Council members participated in their first budget workshop Tuesday starting and 5:30 p.m. that meeting lasted for 90 minutes until the regular council session started at 7 p.m.

A 2013 budget amendment was approved Tuesday by council members. Annual budget amendments are required when changes in revenue and expense occur after the annual budget has been established.

Among other things, the budget was amended to include the $808,677 in funding the city received for the West First Avenue improvements. Another $130,000 in expense was added to this year’s budget for the demolition of the old high school. $80,000 of that is coming out of the Utility Reserve fund while $50,000 is from the Sanitation Department fund.