Seneca preparing New Budget

Its budget time again.  On Monday night, Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander presented the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget to the City Council for first reading.  Mayor Alexander said to allow Seneca to undertake major utility projects and strengthen its public safety departments, the proposed budget is exceeding $45 million. The Mayor proposes new revenues in the form of a three-mill property tax increase and varying increases in water, sewer, electric, and sanitation charges. For Seneca to take on projects such as water treatment and electric substation upgrades, the Mayor anticipates a 25-year bond issue. He asked the Council to consider the future, and they responded by approving first reading of the proposed budget. Second and final reading of the proposed budget, along with a public hearing, takes place Thursday, June 27, which is three days before the start of the new budget year.