June, 2, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
June is budget crunch time for local governments across Wyoming, including Saratoga.
Facing a shortfall in income, the town council has been discussing how to allocate the reduced funding. Saratoga is bracing for a $1.6 million reduction in tax and impact assistance income for the upcoming fiscal year. Mayor Chuck Davis said the town has money, but much of it is set aside for specific-purpose tax projects. The mayor said those monies cannot be used for anything other than the projects voters approved.
The town has approximately $7.9 million in reserve, but the money can only be spent on projects taxpayers approved with the 6th penny tax referendum. Mayor Davis said the special purpose tax money cannot be used for any other purpose.
One of the recent hot-button issues is increased funding for the swimming pool, including staff.
The town has $174,650 of specific purpose tax funding allocated for improvements to the pool. Mayor Davis said that money must be used on pool improvements. He said it can’t be used for anything else, such as wages for lifeguards or other pool employees.
The mayor said the specific purpose tax money could not legally be used to supplement the town’s general fund account.
During the May 16th town council meeting, the fiscal year 2023 through 2024 budget was read for the first time. Town clerk Marie Christen said the town anticipated receiving nearly $3 million dollars for the general fund. Factoring in decreased tax revenue and impact assistance money, Christen said the general fund would have $1,658,786.88 less than expected. Mayor Davis explained the various services and departments the town pays for out of the general fund.
Davis said the town has various methods of generating money. The mayor reiterated that the special purpose tax money could only be used for the projects identified when voters cast their ballots. Money for other needs, such as routine town functions, must come from the general fund.
The Saratoga town council has a large deficit to fill while maintaining funding for Mayor Davis’s four essential departments: police, fire, streets, and water and sewer. The mayor has made it clear that all other services will be paid for using what’s left of the budget.
