PETERSBURG-AK Petersburg city councilors will begin their budget deliberations tonight. The 36 million dollar plan covers all city revenues and spending…including the city’s enterprise funds or utilities that are supposed to support themselves….as well as the tax-supported general fund. The general fund covers city functions that can’t pay for themselves like emergency services and police, planning and community development, public works and the library as well as local contributions to schools and other community services. Education funding is up significantly from last year and there are several smaller increases for a few community services including Petersburg Mental Health, the Clausen Museum, and KFSK public radio. Overall, the draft general fund budget for next year spends more money than it takes in because it uses cash reserves to cover some of the city’s capital project costs. The proposed budget calls for the same amount of property-tax revenue as the current year and since assessments are on the rise, the millage rate is likely to be lowered. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with City Manager Richard Underkofler about the proposed budget Friday:
© Copyright, Narrows Broadcasting Corp.