The Hermiston City Council approved the budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 at Monday night’s meeting.
The new budget totals $57,208,424 – a $4.7 million increase over the current budget. Some notable increases in the upcoming budget include $11.43 million for Hermiston Energy Services, up from $9.14 million in the current budget. The increase is due primarily to the increased cost of purchased power. A rate increase was passed by the council earlier this year and a second increase may be implemented later this year.
Other budget items of note include $135,000 in the utility fund for the city’s water department. About $40,000 of that will go toward re-painting the water tower, which was initially re-painted a year ago, but the city has received numerous complaints about its “unfinished” appearance.
A total of $100,000 has been allocated for improvements to city hall.
“Our current city hall has a number of deficiencies,” said City Manager Byron Smith, in a memo to the mayor and council. “I would like to start to examine this year what our needs are and what possible solutions might be.”
The budget also calls for a 2.25-percent pay increase for city staff.
A Community Enhancement Fund was been established with $100,000 seed money. The council will decide what project the funds will be used for after receiving input from the public.
The entire budget can be found on the city’s website.
