Johnston Council to Discuss 2012-13 Budget at Tonight's Work Session

The 2012-13 fiscal year budget takes center stage at the Johnston City Council work session tonight.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. to allow for more discussion.

The council heard from each city department at meetings in December. Department heads laid out proposals for new equipment and personnel.

The next fiscal year, which beings July 1, will include the addition of needed personnel for the city's new fire annex located near Northwest 62nd Avenue and 100th Street.

 Jim Krohse asked city leaders to consider budgeting nearly $580,000 for nine new firefighters to staff the .

Krohse, who splits duties between Johnston and Grimes, said the city of Grimes had previously agreed to pay a portion of the salaries, because the new station will respond to calls in that city.

Tonight the council is expected to continue discussion options for financing city needs in 2012-13 fiscal year.

The council work session will also include an audit presentation.

The regular council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., includes the oath of office for two Johnston Police officers and a presentation by the Johnston Student Council on upcoming events for Johnston's Big Give.

Action items on the agenda include amending an ordinance allowing the city to trap animals creating a nusiance for the city.

At the , city administrator Jim Sanders said the city was dealing with a beaver wreaking havoc along Beaver Creek.

The city's current code doesn't allow the city to trap the animal. The revised ordinance will be based on one in Urbandale.

Both the city council work session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. are at .