Each year the City of Abilene prepares a proposed budget that is submitted for approval to the City Commission. As part of the approval process a public hearing is held to provide for public input into the proposed budget. After approval the budget has to be certified to the Dickinson County Clerk.

This is the fourth year that City staff has prepared the Budget Brief to help inform the citizens of Abilene about the variety of services offered by the city and the corresponding revenues and expenditures that are proposed for the departments that provide these services.

The budget process included input from the individual department heads in meetings with the City Commission to discuss service levels and specific capital improvement needs that are addressed in the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan which is included with this budget brief. This process also included requests and presentations from outside agencies for City funding.

The proposed budget includes wage increases that an employee can receive based on their performance evaluation. An additional amount has been budgeted for employees who may receive promotions next year. In the area of employee health care costs, this has been capped at 8% for next year.

Other increases reflected in the budget include utility increases in natural gas and electric, as well as fuel costs for vehicles and equipment. The new wastewater treatment plant is scheduled for completion in April, 2008 and it's operating costs will be higher than the old plant because of the type of equipment used in it's operation. Another 40% increase in the sewer rates is needed to help meet the increased operating costs, as well as the debt service to finance the new plant.

As in the past the following City Commission goals were achieved during the budget process:

1. Continue present level of City Services
2. Keep any required property tax increases to minimum level.
3. Reduce annual budget expenditures wherever possible and balance them with revenues.

The proposed expenditures for the FY 2008 Budget are $16,680,987. Increases in costs for captial improvements for projects and equipment next year, as well as increases in overall operating costs that include insurance, contract services, utilities and personnel wages and benefits are reflected in the budget. The proposed FY 2008 budget includes an increase in the amount of property tax which is $1,345,903 compared to $1,345,955 for FY 2007. This results in an estimated mill levy of 27.040 for FY 2008 compared to 30.407 for FY 2007. The assessed valuation is up from $44,472,433 for FY 2007 to $50,846,209 for FY 2008.

This proposed FY 2008 Budget reflects the commitment of the City Commission and City staff to work towards common goals in the preparation of the budget.

2008 Budget Summary Kansas Cities Milly Levy Comparison City of Abilene Property Tax Information Property Tax Comparison on Residential & Commercial Properties

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