Page 45 - CityofMansfieldFY23Budget
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UTILITY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

               The  City  will design utility rates  sufficient for  meeting the annual coverage requirement  that will
               accumulate resources to replace or rehabilitate aging infrastructure that no longer can be serviced by regular
               maintenance.  Attempts should be made to fund the reserve at a level approximate to the annual average
               coverage requirement as reported in the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

               LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLAN POLICY

               The City will adopt every annual budget in context of a long-term financial plan for the General Fund and
               Water & Sewer Fund.  Financial plans for other funds may be developed as needed.  The General Fund and
               Water & Sewer Fund long term plans will establish assumptions for revenues, expenditures, and changes
               to fund balance over a ten-year horizon.  The assumptions will be evaluated each year as part of the budget
               development process.

               ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY

               The City will assess and collect ½ percent on each taxable sales transaction in the City and utilize the
               revenue to encourage commercial and industrial development within the City. Commercial and industrial
               development provides additional tax revenues, local employment, and shifts a portion of the tax base from
               the homeowner to the industrial/commercial entity.  The MEDC board has set a goal to split the tax burden
               equally between the homeowner and industrial/commercial development.

               INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT POLICY

               The  development  of  capital  improvements,  including  street  and  utility  construction,  will provide  the
               necessary infrastructure for residential and commercial development.  The City has instituted an aggressive
               ten-year capital improvement program to develop the City's infrastructure.  This program will be funded
               with the growth in tax base as projected.  The improvements are being timed to coincide with annual growth
               in the City.

               SERVICE DEVELOPMENT POLICY

               The City of Mansfield has increased the city staffing level by 20 Full Time Equivalent positions in FY
               2022-2023.

               PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY

               The City has and will increase its technical assistance to residential and commercial developers in an effort
               to develop systematic growth and development.  Residential and commercial zoning has been developed to
               fit the City's master plan.

               BUDGET PREPARATION POLICY

               The budget development is based on community and individual department needs as identified by the
               citizens' survey, City Council, and individual division projections.  The budget is based on the projected
               growth of both revenue and expense factors City-wide over a ten-year period.  Projected commercial and
               industrial development are also factored into the overall budget plan.  Council and  management have
               adopted a modified Strategic Plan to outline the operational and infrastructure demands from the effects of
               the economy.  This plan will be reviewed and revised regularly.

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