Seneca holds First Reading on Proposed $41M Budget

Seneca plans no property tax increases next year; however, sewer customers are to pay 5% more for the replacement of some lift stations. The Seneca City Council held first reading on the proposed 2015-16 fiscal year budget at their monthly meeting Tuesday night. Seneca Finance Officer and Clerk-Treasurer Joel Seavey tells more about the budget. “It had a few increases in the water and sewer rates for lift station projects that we need done for the Utility Department. It also has a 3% Cost of Living increase for employees. But I’m very proud of the budget work this year, the Department Heads did a lot of work with me leading up to it. Then Mayor Dan Alexander did a good job with me finishing up with City Administrator Greg Dietterick. We had some very good meetings and some good preparation. There is a lot of good planning in this year’s budget and I feel really good about it.” The budget, which runs July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, consists of six budgets, explains Seavey. “Combined I think it is a round $41 million. The largest budget of course is Seneca Light and Water around $28 million and then we have the City’s budget, the General Fund and that is $10.3 million.” In June, the Seneca City Council holds a public hearing before the regular monthly council meeting where second reading of the budget takes place.