The board also voted 3-1 (alderman Tod Kinerk against) to approve the FY 2022-23 budget (Bill No. 3510).
During discussion of the bill, prior to its passage, alderman Shawn Bolerjack spoke about the budget.
“I just want to say that this is the balanced budget that the city is proposing for us to approve tonight in order for us to start our new fiscal year July 1.
“It’s [the FY 2022-23 budget] still going to be a work-in-progress over the next few months, as we need to review revenue streams,” said Bolerjack. One potentially large revenue stream would be to institute a use tax on Internet purchases. This kind of tax wouldn’t be an increased tax, but would apply the existing taxes for in-person sales to online purchases. A use tax would need to be on the ballot and passed by Salem voters.
Bolerjack also stated that among the budget cuts is the possible elimination of staff.
Mayor Greg Parker spoke after Bolerjack. “It’s never easy to make budget cuts, especially when it comes to staff, especially other cuts that were made. These are cuts that had to be made. We don’t take that lightly. Usually during cuts, we need people to understand that it affects some services, and this is cuts that we’ve made just for one budget,” he said.
“I anticipate that there will be more cuts in the future.”
He also stated that’s the reason the finance committee will start meeting regularly on a monthly basis.
“We will be looking at other ways to cut stuff,” he said. “Even if it’s something as small as cutting office supplies. Everybody’s familiar with the old saying ‘not to live beyond your means'.
“We live in [the] type of economy right now, where inflation is on the rise—rumors of recession. It’s nothing that we take lightly, it’s something that has to be done.
“It effects the citizens—we’ll keep making these cuts to make sure that it doesn’t effect them as much, but there’s only so much that we can do. The future is unpredictable—maybe a miracle might happen, but until that does, we’ll be seeing a lot more meetings, a lot more discussion and a lot more cuts from expenditures.”
Prior to the passage of the bill to approve the FY 2022-23 budget, alderman Williams asked the city administrator Ray Walden what the total amount cut from the budget was.
“I think the total difference between the original department requested and the proposed budget is around $1.7 million,” he said.
Also at the meeting:
• The board unanimously approved an ordinance (Bill No. 3509) amending the FY 2021-22 budget.
• The board unanimously approved a resolution (20-2022) extending the contract time for Godi Excavating to complete work on the location in the industrial park intended to become a certified site. According to Sally Burbridge, economic development director,
the site is still on track to qualify for the state application. The extension is necessary to wait to seed the grass until fall to avoid the summer heat scorching and wasting the seed. Burbridge also reported that Archer-Elgin is recommending to wait until fall to run the sewer line to the site.
• Aldermen unanimously approved the mayor’s recommendations to appoint Thomas Relford and former alderman Kevin James to serve on the finance committee and Wanda Henson to serve on the Salem Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
• Jarred Brown reported on trailer court licenses. He reported that applications for two of the three trailer courts have been submitted and that he has already inspected one and is ready to recommend the approval of their license, the second is currently in process, the third has made no attempt to submit a licensure application. Brown said that he plans to visit with Joe Chase, police chief, who is the code enforcement officer about how the city needs to proceed.
• City officials shared reports with the board. Aldermen heard from representatives from the Missouri Public Utility Alliance as well as an update from Don Harkey of People Centric.
• The board moved to closed session at approximately 7:35 p.m. There was no action taken in the meeting, city clerk Tammy Koller told The Salem News upon inquiry June 27.
