The Town of La Plata has a budget plan for the next fiscal year that keeps its property tax rate steady and provides cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for its employees. The proposed fiscal year (FY) 2012 operating budget was presented Tuesday, May 24 during the town’s monthly business meeting.
Town Manager Daniel J. Mears explained the town’s property tax rate, as previously agreed to be town officials, will stay at 32 cents per $100 of assessed property value.
While general fund revenues are down over $200,000 from FY 2011, Mears said there would be no reductions in service. Most of the fees the town levies will be increased 2.25 percent.
The town’s 50 fulltime employees will each receive a 2.26 percent COLA. “No layoffs, no furloughs,” said Mears, who added no staff reductions were planned either.
Mears said the spending plan allocates $10,000 for the town’s planned 2012 celebration to mark a decade of recovery from a devastating tornado and $17,000 for implementation of its vision plan. Other expenditures include $15,000 for a public works storage shed and $110,000 to replace four police department vehicles.
According to the town budget documents, the FY 2012 general fund revenues total $6.235 million. The budgeted expenditures total $6.208 million, leaving the town with a projected budget surplus of $27,080.
No public comment was rendered at the May 24 hearing. The council is scheduled to adopt the budget June 14.
