Clerk-treasurer presents draft 2024 budget

RITZVILLE – Kicking off the budget process for next year, Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt shared preliminary 2024 budget numbers at the Sept. 19 City Council meeting.

In the draft budget, four expense categories accounted for roughly 70% of the city’s 2024 ending fund balance (revenues less expenditures) of $9.75 million. These categories included current expense, city streets, water and sewer (billings and reserves), and equipment rental/revolving funds.

The remainder of the draft budget covered law enforcement, tourism, capital improvements, debt service and a variety of other line items.

The draft budget also reflected a 5% cost-of-living increase for the Clerk and Public Works Departments, a $500 per-step increase for the Police Department, and a 12% bump in insurance rates.

The current expense fund — the primary operating fund of the city — accounts for council expenditures, the clerk and finance department, legal staff, police, fire, parks and golf. The fund’s primary revenues come from taxes and service charges from other departments.

In 2022, the actual ending balance in the current expense fund was $317,151. Based on actual expenditures through August, the city estimates this year’s ending fund balance at $450,025.

Given a budgeted fund balance of $441,126 at the end of 2024, the fund will show an increase of 39% over 2022 and a 2% decline from this year’s ending balance.

Street fund

The street fund covers road maintenance, and its revenues are derived from real and personal property taxes, and various grant sources.

In 2022, the actual ending balance for the street fund was $275,155. The city estimates a whopping 147% increase over this year’s estimated ending balance of $305,546. Next year’s preliminary budget showed an ending balance of $756,759 for this fund.

According to the preliminary budget, several street projects are expected to contribute to this increase.

For example, grant funds totaling $485,655 from the Transportation Improvement Board have been budgeted for the Sixth Avenue sidewalk project (from Division to Chelan streets).

Next year’s preliminary budget also includes roundabout planning — with the caveat that completion depends on yet-to-be-approved grant funding of $200,000.

Water and Sewer

The 2024 draft budget for water and sewer funds included $2 million in expenditures for a Well No. 8 pump station, as well as budget estimates for various sewer improvements.

At some future date, the city hopes to receive $2.9 million in grant funding for sewer system upgrades.

In the short term, the 2024 draft budget includes only $40,000 for planning and application costs pertaining to sewer system improvements.