City Council Approves Proposed Annual Budget

City Finance Director Sue Virnig presented Golden Valley's proposed 2013-2014 annual budget to City Council this week. Councilmembers approved the budget and encouraged residents to reach out to city staff with questions or concerns.

"This budget is proposed, but it will be set as of December," Mayor Shep Harris said. "So now’s the time to weigh in and contact us with concerns."

In her presentation, Virnig said that the city has a balanced budget. "Expenditures and revenues equal each other," she said.

Budget Numbers

In the general fund review report, the budget reflects an increase in public works expenditures for 2013. In 2012, the City's adopted budget for public works was $315,365, though it's estimated that they spent $318,540. The 2013 proposed budget for the public works administration is $321,545.

Expenditures in the police department, which include drug task force, police operations and prosecution and courts, are proposed to increase in 2013. Expenditures for 2012 are $4,701,500. In 2013, it's estimated that the police department will spend $4,862,455.

In 2012 the Golden Valley Park and Recreation administration adopted a budget that was $646,275. In 2013, the City proposed to allocate $665,465 to the department.

The total general fund expenditures for 2013 is $15,343,385.

Property Taxes

In her presentation, Virnig said that the median home price in Golden Valley is $230,000. For those homes in Golden Valley, homeowners will pay roughly $32 less in property tax for the city portion of their tax dollars.

Virnig said that some homes decreased in value about 6 percent, noting that lower valued homes were reduced more than higher valued homes.

"This is for the median home," Virnig said of the property tax savings. "Obviously not every home went down that 6.17 percent."

In November, property owners will receive their proposed property tax statement for 2013.

**Editors note: After speaking with City Finance Director Sue Virnig, City budget numbers were changed to reflect correct values.