Fort Smith officials consider $264.9 million 2009 budget

Time is running short for any group or individual interested in providing input into the 2009 budget for the city of Fort Smith.

A few brief points about the proposed 2009 budget:
• The $264.9 million budget is a 3.9 percent increase over the 2008 budget.

• The budget includes $101.5 million for capital improvements.

• The large line items in the capital improvement budget are $37.1 million is for street and drainage projects and $62.8 million in water and sewer system improvements.

• City officials propose adding five new positions in 2009, all in the police department. If the new positions are approved, the police department will employ 219 in fiscal year 2009.
The city will employ 905 people full time if the 2009 budget is approved.

• Kara Bushkuhl, director of finance, has said the budget is based on conservative estimates of income and other revenue (state, federal, bonds) expected in fiscal year 2009.

• The city held three public hearings on the budget.  The remaining two are Nov. 17 and Nov. 19 at 6 p.m., Nov. 17, in the training room of the Fort Smith Police Department.

• The budget is expected to come before the Fort Smith Board of Directors on Dec. 2.

The proposed 2009 budget can be found here. (Warning: It’s a rather large file.) Also, citizens can contact the mayor and board members using information found here.