by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Maple Heights -- Council last week got its first look at the city's 2008 preliminary operating budget, which projects the city will end the year with approximately $700,000 in its coffers -- about $400,000 less than what it started the year with.
Finance Director Tom Zammikiel showed the proposed budget to Council March 13 and called for a follow-up meeting March 31 to discuss any changes. He said he hopes it will be approved by Council's April 2 meeting.
According to Zammikiel, the city started 2008 with $1.1 million in operating funds, which are used to pay workers' salaries, utility costs and other expenses (see info box on Page 10 for a breakdown of operating funds).
Zammikiel projected the city will collect $18.1 million in total operating revenues while it plans to spend $18.5 million, finishing the year with approximately $700,380 in total operating funds.
The operating budget Zammikiel presented to Council does not include big-ticket capital improvement costs, such as new police and fire vehicles.
Zammikiel said the capital improvements portion of the budget would be reviewed "after Council and the mayor have agreed on items to be included," within two months.
Last year's overall budget, including both operating and capital improvement figures, called for $23 million in expenditures and $22 million in revenues.
E-mail: TTroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3165