5/5/14 - The Brighton City Council Thursday night unanimously approved a 2014-15 city budget which totals $13.5 million. The figure includes a general fund budget of $7.8 million. Most of the remainder of the overall budget is comprised of the utilities fund, i.e., sewer and water â which amounts to $4.2 million. Council Member Jim Bohn objected to a $125,000 snow plow being included in the budget, saying the projected financial picture looks much better for the following fiscal year and the procurement should be deferred for a year. Assistant DPS Director Patty Thomas said the current snowplow in use is about 15 or 16 years old and needs to be retired from service as soon as possible. Bohn then said council could reconsider the purchase in the fall if the revenue picture improves. Council agreed to temporarily remove the snow plow from the 14-15 budget and reconsider the purchase later in the year if funds become available. City Manager Dana Foster says the budget for the coming year is healthier than it has been in the last few years and he hopes to be able to save some finds for much-needed future infrastructure projects, most notably city streets. The budget includes an increase in curbside refuse collection charges from the current $13.77 per month to $14.48 a month, which totals $8.52 more per year. In addition, residents can expect a 1-2% increase in water and sewer rates. The new fiscal year starts July 1. (TT)
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