O'Fallon Budget Includes Hiring of 3 New Police Officers, But No Major Pay Raises

O’Fallon city officials outlined the 2012 budget Thursday night, which includes funds for hiring three new police officers but no cost of living increases for city employees. 

The $79.6-million proposed budget ends a hiring freeze that was in effect for two consecutive years for the city. Other than those being added to the police department, the budget includes no major additions of city employees. 

The city council held a public hearing on the proposed 2012 budget and gave it a first reading at its regular meeting on Thursday night. A second reading and final passage may occur at the council’s Dec. 8 regular meeting.

Director of Finance Vicki Boschert said the lack of cost of increases is similar to this year’s budget. Employees who have not reached the top of their pay scale, however, would be eligible to receive merit increases. 

The hiring of three police officers would bring the police department to 112 employees, Boschert said. The city also may hire about 11 temporary employees to work on street repairs and maintenance, she said. The city currently has 386 employees. 

Boschert said the city still is not automatically hiring new employees if a current employee leaves a position. The city is evaluating the need to fill those positions, she said. 

The 2012 proposed budget is down from the $87.6 million budget the city adopted last December for 2011. The budget was higher last year because the city paid off a 2007 general obligation bond issue that financed swimming pool improvements at Alligator Creek, improvements at Dames Park and construction at the Renaud Spirit Center. 

For 2012, the city is projecting $72.2 million in revenue, up slightly from the $70.3 million anticipated in the 2011 budget.   

She projects the city may receive about $28.4 million in general revenue next year. General revenue pays for public safety expenses, city hall operations and other operating expenses. 

One trend has been more sales tax revenue, which is the city’s largest revenue source.  

“We are seeing some increases in sales tax revenue, which makes us more fortunate than others,” Boschert said. 

The increase may have been around 1.5 percent. But city officials aren’t necessarily anticipating a major influx of money. The city may budget for a modest 1 percent increase for 2012, she said. 

The budget includes funding for improving streets, which has been a major focus, she said. Another major project is $383,000 budgeted for a skate park and parking lot at Westhoff Park.