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Politics & Government

Albertville Begins Discussion of 2012 Budget

While the state was hammering out the details of their next fiscal plan, the City of Albertville began discussions on its 2012 budget, which included a cost of living increase for city staff.

The City of Albertville started early budget discussions for 2012 Monday night, following the regular council meeting.

The process is expected to take several meetings before a final number for the levy is passed along to the county.

Included in the discussion was a proposal from city staff to include a 3 percent cost of living increase to city workers, both full and part time. The increase would include the fire department wages and an increase into the firemen retirement accounts.

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Employees’ wages have been frozen since 2008, so city administrator Larry Kruse suggested it was time to look into it.

“I would even be willing to furlough my COLA increase in support of other staff,” he shared Monday.

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Council was hesistant, pointing to the current economy. 

“Are other cities asking for 3 percent [cost of living] increases?” Council Member Dan Wagner asked.

Kruse was unaware of other cities at this point, but also noted that it is fairly early and that Albertville starts the budget process early.

Kruse also suggested that the “fire department may come to a meeting requesting the 3 percent increase or more.”

That 3 percent increase would add an additional $17,000 expenditure to the 2012 budget, with the additional steps making the total $24,000.

In addition, staff recommends increasing the city clerk and building official positions from 75 percent time to 85 percent, which would be an additional cost of $19,000.

Larry Sorenson joined Wagner in expressing uncertainty about these increases.

“There was earlier talk about the possibility of the city setting aside $25,000 in the 2012 budget to help when payments for the bonding of the second sheet of ice begin–if and when that happens. This has the COLA increases, but does not include the $25,000 for the ice arena,” Sorenson shared. “If the council feels strongly about the arena, something would have to be cut out of this proposal.”

The council will continue budget discussions following the next council meeting on Monday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

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