News
City begins budget negotiations
Scott Wagar
09/09/2014
Bottineau’s City Council started negotiations for the 2015 City Budget this past Tuesday evening which City Auditor Penny Nostdahl presented to the council members.
TOTAL BUDGET
The total proposed budget for 2015 is $6,518,296, which is an increase of $1,450,386, or 28 percent from 2014’s total budget.
“The increase is due to large city projects likes the water line loop expansion, lagoon expansion, seal coat and paving projects,” Nostdahl said. “There are also equipment purchases for a loader, roll-off truck and tool cat.”
GENERAL FUND
The proposed budget for the 2015 general fund is $1,069,396, which is an increase of $96,121 or 10 percent of the 2014 general fund.
The percentage increase is due to general inflation and the police contract.
MILL LEVY
Nostdahl added that there will be no new levies in the 2015 budget, but stated the value of one mill levy went from $5,300 in 2014 to $6,200 for the 2015 proposed budget.
In a document given out by Nostdahl through the city of Mandan, a mill levy is determined each year by dividing the total amount of dollars needed by the political subdivisions (city, county, parks and schools) from the property tax by the total taxable value of the city, which grants the percentage of taxable value that is levied or assessed in property taxes.
When it comes to individuals’ annual property tax, it is determined by multiplying the taxable value of that year’s mill levy (move the decibel three places to the left on the mill levy).
“The police budget is up significantly due mainly to salary increases,” Nostdahl said. “The fire department budget is down slightly and state aid distribution is estimated to increase by 6 percent. Oil and gas is also estimated to increase by the same amount.”
When it comes to the proposed police budget overall, it went from $314,500 in 2014 to $347,000 for 2015.
To see the entire 2015 proposed budget, individuals can go to the city auditor’s office and request to see a copy of the budget.