Politics & Government

Ferndale City Council Begins Budgeting Process

The recommended budget for fiscal year 2012-13 includes a tax increase from 3 mils to 3.75 mills, which is less than previously expected due to the reallocation of EVIP funding of almost $900,000.

Ferndale City Council met for a special budget meeting on Monday night to begin reviewing the 2012-13 and 2013-14 budgets as recommended by city management.

Ferndale City Manager April McGrath presented an overview of the budget, and council members will meet again to discuss it in more detail later this month. City Council aims to have the budget ready for approval on May 7.

Here are some details of the recommended budget:

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  • The total general fund revenues are estimated to be $18,723,935 for fiscal year 2013, which is an increase of 0.3 percent from the past year’s budget. In 2014, revenues are projected to be $18,249,259, a (-2.5 percent) decrease from 2013.
  • The original 2012-13 budget called for a 5 mill-plus increase from fiscal year 2011-12. However, due to the reallocation of almost $900,000 in funding from the state's , staff was able to recommend a millage increase from 3 mills to 3.75 for 2012-13 and 4.85 for 2013-14. As an example, property taxes on a home with a State Equalized Value of $100,000 would increase about an additional $37.50 per year with the addition of .75 mills.
  • The cities of Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge , allowing the Ferndale Fire Department to keep current staffing levels.
  • The Ferndale Fire Department was from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for two years, allowing four firefighter positions to be placed back into rotation after layoffs. As of April 1, 2013, the SAFER grant will expire and result in the loss of four firefighters. The city has applied for another round of grant funding but it is not known whether it will be approved.
  • Total general fund expenses are estimated to be $18,710,975, which is a 0.3 percent increase from the past year’s estimated expenses. $18,236,609 is estimated for 2014, which is a 2.5 percent decrease from 2013.
  • The police department will have an increase of one full-time police officer as a result of a . There are no lay-offs scheduled for 2012-13.


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