ROCHELLE, IL – At the April 12, 2010 City Council Meeting, the City Budget for fiscal year 2010-2011 was approved. The General Fund budgeted revenues total $7.5 million and budgeted expenses total approximately $7.4 million. This represents the fifth straight year that the City has balanced its General Fund budget, despite some difficult economic conditions in the region.

Combining the General Fund with all other funds, including the Enterprise Funds, results in total projected expenditures of nearly $59 million. The investment in capital improvement projects will again be a significant component of the budget and represents over 32% of budgeted expenditures. The capital outlay includes both construction projects as well as equipment and replacement vehicles. The budget reflects no additional borrowing, but includes the retirement of over $2 million of existing debt.

The budget for staffing of nearly $8.6 million reflects the total labor related expenses for our 120 full-time employees and 14 part-time employees. This number reflects the addition of one full-time employee in our Engineering Department. Labor costs reflect a 3% increase for both union and non-union employees in addition to some step and merit increases.

This approved budget reflects the cost of providing the same high level of service that our citizens and customers have come to expect. The City is fortunate to have a productive workforce and effective department heads who manage these public funds very carefully. We will monitor this budget throughout the fiscal year and the budget will undergo a complete review in six months to insure that the budget continues to be balanced.

City staff recognizes the important role that the Mayor and Council Members have in the budget approval process. Their approval of the budget as proposed is a reflection of their confidence in all City staff.