Fiscal 2017 Budget

The City Council adopted the budget for Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17), which begins July 1, 2016. In developing the annual budget, city staff rely upon a variety of planning documents, including the Comprehensive Plan, the five-year Capital Improvement Plan, and the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan. The budget is guided by the principles of maintaining high service levels, responsiveness to the needs of residents and businesses, preserving long-term financial stability through sound fiscal management and economic development, and providing for well-planned capital investment in the community to preserve infrastructure and facilities.

General Fund
The city’s General Fund relies heavily on Intergovernmental Revenues including sales tax (42 percent of revenues) and utility licenses (38 percent of revenues). FY17 General Fund revenues are projected to increase .98% percent from FY16. Operating expenditures are projected to increase 6.61 percent from FY16 to $15,933,238.

Capital Improvement Fund
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The proposed budget is based on the five-year Capital Improvement Plan adopted by the City Council on March 23. The half-cent capital improvement sales tax is the major funding source, accounting for approximately $2.1 million in projected FY17 revenues. The city has been successful in obtaining over $823,764 in grant funding for FY17 capital projects. Proposed Capital Improvement Fund expenses include $4,118,149 for projects.

Enterprise Fund
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The Enterprise Fund includes operations and maintenance of the golf course and ice arena. Overall, operating revenues are projected to increase by 3.84 percent to $1,005,644. A $30,000 transfer from the General Fund is budgeted for FY17. Operating expenses for the Enterprise Fund are anticipated to increase by 3.26 percent to $1,023,679. The golf course has seen a steady decrease in rounds of golf played over the last decade—a trend consistent with other golf courses in St. Louis and nationally. The City is in the process on implementing dynamic processing to increase revenues at the Golf Course. In addition, the city maintains reciprocal agreements with the cities of Ballwin and University City municipal courses to increase play and enhance marketing of the golf course, while also offering our residents discounted rates at other courses. 

Pursuant to the City Charter, the Finance Committee reviewed the proposed budget prior to City Council approval.  City Council held a public meeting during the City Council meeting on Monday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.