Bedford City Officials Pass 2016 Budget

Last updated on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

(BEDFORD) - The Bedford City County passed Bedford’s 2016 budget.

Now that the city council has approved the spending plan, it will go to the state for a final review.

The 2016 budget, as advertised, is $16,067,815, down from the 2015 figure of $16,255,685.

The $187,870 in savings, comparing the 2016 and 2015 figures, is expected to be accomplished despite an 11 percent increase in insurance costs and a proposed pay increase of 3 percent for all non-elected employees.

Elected officials (mayor, clerk-treasurer and city council members) will receive no raise in the 2016 plan.

The lion's share of the city's day-to-day expenses are paid from the general fund, which totals $9,689,026 in the 2016 spending plan.

Areas projecting significant savings include the parks department ($201,322), the motor vehicle highway fund ($49,973), the TIF/RDC fund ($133,000), engineering ($46,007), fire department ($32,279), city council ($20,000) and clerk-treasurer ($16,451).

The city administration opted to cut the city engineer from the budget, saying consultants and city officials are now handling those duties.

The Cumulative Capital Development Fund is up $150,000, with some of those monies to be used for the Harp Commons project and work on the newly acquired Arthur Paving building.

The police department's budget increased to purchase new protective vests, State mandates those vet must be upgraded every five years.

New - $35,000 - to assist the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County.

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