Page 68 - Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

OPERATING FUNDS BUDGET PROPOSAL

The 2018-19 Budget adequately provides for meeting the operational demands of the City. Operating Fund
expenditures, transfers, and use of reserves for 2018-19 in the amount of $21,977,919 are $1,089,292 more than
expenditures and transfers re-estimated for 2017-18 in the amount of $20,888,627. The 2017-18 re-estimate includes
$2,000,000 in transfers from General Fund reserves; the 2018-19 Budget includes the use of $920,000 in reserves and
the transfer of $750,000 in reserves.

SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND FRINGE BENEFIT INCREASES

COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE

The 2018-19 Budget includes funds for a two and one-half percent across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment for all
full-time employees.

MERIT INCREASES FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

Employees who are at steps one through six are eligible for a five-percent or one-step merit increase on the employee’s
anniversary date. Merit increases are based on job performance and are implemented following an evaluation by the
employee's supervisor; funds for merit increases are included in the 2018-19 Budget.

SIGNING BONUS FOR CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS

The Police Department requested and received $10,000 in the 2012-13 Budget for payment of a $5,000 bonus for new
Police Officers who hold the required certifications when hired by the City of Benbrook. The funding of this hiring-
incentive program is again in the 2018-19 Budget for the amount of $10,000.

FRINGE BENEFIT ENHANCEMENTS

The 2018-19 Budget includes funds to finance an up-to seven and one-half percent increase in employee health, dental,
and life insurance premiums, subsidies, and reimbursements. Through negotiations with the City’s current providers
for group health, dental, and life insurance for renewals effective November 1, 2018, the City expects to continue
funding the entire employee premium; to adjust the subsidy for dependent health insurance to cover the increase in
CITY OF BENBROOK 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
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