City’s Financial Picture Looking Better

With little discussion, the Trenton City Council approved the 2017-18 budgets for the city and Trenton Municipal Utilities during a meeting on Monday night.
The vote on both budgets was 7-1, with second ward councilman Brad Chumbley casting the lone no vote. The budgets will go into effect on May 1.
Third Ward Councilman Travis Elbert noted that while the budgets have no salary increases for personnel, the city was able to absorb increased costs for employee insurance. In addition, the city was able to save around $54,000 by eliminating the economic developer’s position as well as saving another $45,000 by combining the positions of city administrator and TMU director. Mayor Dr. Nick McHargue, earlier in the meeting, noted that the starting salaries for several positions within the city – in particular the police and utility departments – were several thousand dollars under what other communities were paying.
Elbert went on to say that while around $30,000 had been cut from the street budget, the city was going to be able to do close to the same amount of repairs in its summer street program that were done in 2016. He credited increased asphalt sales in helping make up shortfalls in revenue and allowing for a balanced budget.
The city anticipates revenues of $2,888,475 for the 2017-18 fiscal year, with expenditures listed at $3,123,475. A transfer from the road fund of $235,000 makes up the difference.
With revenues anticipated to be more than expenditures in the current fiscal year ($331,091), the city expects to end this fiscal year on April 30 with a fund balance of $1,388,916. Elbert noted this compares to a $439,716 fund balance the city had when it began its 2014-15 fiscal year. Elbert thanked Finance Chairman Mark Moore and his committee, as well as department heads, for their efforts in helping the city improve its financial position.
On the utility side, TMU’s budget anticipates gross revenues of $13,874,899.50 (electric, water and wastewater) while gross expenses are listed at $11,524,380.24. Once depreciation is figured in, net revenues drop to $755,519.88, including a deficit in the water department. The revenues include customer increases in both the city’s electric and water services, approved earlier this month by the council.
In looking at cash flow for TMU, the utility anticipates a net cash increase after debt payments for all three departments ($840,856 for electric, $316,064 for water and $171,727 for wastewater). However, once capital outlay projects are factored in, both the water and wastewater departments will see a deficit ($843,068 and $628,907, respectively) while the electric department will have a net cash increase of $177,223. That leaves projected cash and investments as of April 30, 2018 at $1,836,521 for electric, $1,985,294 for water and $1,031,738 for wastewater. Departments with bonded projects are required to keep a certain amount of money in reserve to assure payments on those bonds can be made.
The council approved an ordinance, authorizing an agreement with Irvinbilt for installation of raw water valves. A $120,884 bid from Sydenstricker’s was approved to purchase a tractor to pull the wastewater department’s sludge spreader. It was the lowest of four bids received and the tractor would be available to the department in two weeks. Both of those votes were 8-0.
A request to discuss allowing boats on the city reservoir was withdrawn by Councilman Chumbley, who had made the request. He expressed concerns about costs to the city.
Among reports presented:
• TMU Comptroller Rosetta Marsh reported that the online bill-pay for utilities is now up and running. Persons can go to the city website (trentonmo.com), click on the online payment tab and follow the directions.
• The Police Department reported being three individuals short of having a full staff. Police Chief Tommy Wright said efforts are being made to recruit personnel to fill the positions. He said his department is working with North Central Missouri College to develop a program that would provide not only training hours required to become a police officer, but would also lead to that individual obtaining a two-year degree. He reminded council members that the Chief’s Tea will be on April 7.
• The Fire Department has added three pay-per-call firemen to its staff and has decided to fill one full-time position with part-time personnel, allowing the department to have two persons available on each shift at all times.
• Street Department Supervisor Martin Schieb reported that work on the asphalt plant would be completed this week.
• Code Enforcement Officer/Airport Manager Donnie Vandevender reported on attending a structure seminar hosted by FEMA and he will also be attending the state airport managers meeting.
• Park Superintendent Jason Shuler reported practices for the Green Hills Recreation Association summer ball league begin on April 1.
• Water plant director Steve Reid reported being one person short of having a full staff and anticipates losing as many as three more to retirement in the coming year.
• Community Developer Ralph Boots reported that the Youth Leadership Trenton program was nearing an end, noting that the group is looking for volunteer opportunities.
• City Clerk Cindy Simpson reported attending a city clerk’s meeting as well as updated the council on the unfunded liability numbers for the city’s retirement plan (LAGERS).
• City Administrator Ron Urton reported that he will be making a presentation to the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday regarding the city transportation tax, which is on the April 4 ballot and would fund the city’s cost to replace the 17th Street Bridge. A come-and-go public meeting is also planned from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ketcham Community Center.