Ada Reporter

MERIDIAN – The City of Meridian will hold a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend or provide written testimony in advance regarding the proposed budget that begins on October 1, 2023.

The proposed budget from Mayor Robert Simison was presented to the Meridian City Council during two budget workshops, covering how the budget was built, enhancement requests such as capital and personnel needs, and anticipated revenues. The first budget workshop was held on June 15 when the City Council heard and discussed requests from departments. Some enhancement requests were held over to allow for additional time to review, and they were considered at the June 29 workshop. A recording of the workshops can be found HERE.

“I appreciate the work of our employees, Department Directors, and City Council in preparing, reviewing and moving forward the FY24 budget,” said Mayor Simison. “This budget is focused on providing our departments with the tools and employees that will keep our community safe, connected, and thriving.”

In preparation for the City’s upcoming public hearing in August, all of council's recommended FY24 budget revisions from the June workshops will be incorporated and made available for public review beginning July 18, 2023. You can view the posted budget on the City of Meridian's website HERE.

The current proposed FY24 budget for the general fund is $91.2 million, excluding carryforwards, which will be finalized and presented at City Council on July 18, 2023. It also includes new construction and annexation revenue, as well as a portion of the 3% (currently 1.6%) base increase allowed under Idaho Code to deliver the expected level of City services.

Budget requests in the general fund include a large focus on public safety, including:

Two Meridian fire engines.

Additional personnel in the Meridian Police Department, including six police officers and one records clerk.

Additional streetlight fixtures in underserved areas and conversions of existing streetlights from high-pressure sodium lights to LED technology, to ensure streets and pathways are well lit at reduced operational costs.

Meridian Parks and Recreation Department projects include funding for pathway connections, wi-fi in Settlers Park, and improvements to the Lakeview Golf Course. It also includes spending authority for the 9 Mile Creek flood hazard mitigation project being pursued and funded by the Meridian Development Corporation. Parks and Recreation will also convert three existing year-round seasonal employees to three full-time Parks Maintenance Technicians.

Several of the City’s support departments also have new positions to help keep up with the growing demands of police, fire, parks and public works. Finance has a purchasing buyer, there is a support specialist in Information Technology, and Human Resources has a generalist planned for in the FY24 budget.

The current proposed FY24 budget for the enterprise fund is $74.4 million, excluding carryforwards, which will be finalized and presented at City Council on July 18, 2023. This fund is paid for by water and sewer user rates in addition to new development connection fees. The enterprise fund provides the financial support for the City’s Public Works Department that operates the water and wastewater systems. The FY24 budget including new infrastructure as well as preventative and ongoing maintenance.

Budget requests in the FY24 enterprise fund include:

Water and sewer mainline extensions and adjustments to existing infrastructure, in coordination with road construction projects.

Funds toward year three of a four-year project to construct the Can-Ada lift station in northwest Meridian.

Completion of Well 34 Autumn Fair, to provide additional water supply near Black Cat and Ustick Rd.

Additional personnel to support the City’s utility growth to 24-hour staffing and maintaining levels of service including a Water Operator III, Senior Collections Technician, and a Lab Analyst.

Public comments can be emailed to comment@meridiancity.org or mailed to Meridian City Clerk. The deadline for written public comments during the public hearing is Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 6:00pm.

Following the August 15th public hearing, Meridian City Council will formally vote on FY24 budget on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:00pm. The meeting, like all other City Council meetings, can be attended in person, or viewed online through our YouTube Channel or website. Once the FY24 budget is approved, funds are appropriated to the departments and programs as defined in the adopted budget on October 1, 2023.

Original source can be found here.