Monterey Approves New Budget

Monterey aldermen approved a $4.7 million budget on Monday.

Alderman Nathan Walker said the new spending plan provides additional compensation for city employees.

“The three-percent pay increase was something that I’m proud of,” Walker said. “We have really great dedicated employees all across the board and I’m happy that we were about to keep them progressing, salary wise.”

The budget allocates $80,000 for the sewer department’s new jet truck and $53,000 for a two-ton dump truck.

The town’s tax rate will increase three cents to $1.36. Walker said the increase addresses growing expenses and operational costs.

“It’s one of those necessary things that we have to do because we get spread more thin every year,” Walker said. “It’s a marginal tax increase that helps open up some possibilities to get more things done in the future.”

The budget did not include funding for the fire department to hire additional part-time firemen.  Walker said the city will be looking at ways to improve future funding allocations for the department.

“Our biggest shortfall is in the fire department. We weren’t able to fund a lot of those items,” Walker said. “but we’re looking at ways to expand the funding and possibly changing the dynamic of how the department is set up.”

The fire department did receive $5,000 for new thermal imaging cameras and $25,000 for a possible fire truck grant.

Final reading of the budget will take place June 18.