Page 126 - CityofWataugaAdoptedBudgetFY24

BUDGET SUMMARY

general and administrative fees or obligations that the General Fund provides. The
contributing funds include the proprietary funds (Water and Sewer, Storm Drain) and
special revenue funds (Crime Control and Economic Development Fund). These are
projected at 5% of General Fund Revenues.

General Fund Expenditures

The operating expenditures (including transfers) for the General Fund total $18,199,170.
This is a $1,734,275, or a 13.7% increase over last year’s budgeted expenditures,
including transfers. Personnel expenditures make up 72% of the General Fund’s budget.
As mentioned previously, the City has been striving to restore positions that were
unfunded as a cost saving measure in FY2019-20 and FY2020-21. A total of 7.75 full-
time equivalent positions were added to the general fund this year, of which 3.5 full-time
equivalents were moved into the General Fund that were previously funded by the ARPA
grant. The additional 3.75 full-time equivalents were added due to the restoration of the
summer camp and preschool programs at the Community Center. The fire SAFER grant
was completed in the second quarter of fiscal year 2022-23 and all of the six positions
funded by this grant have now been absorbed by the general fund. In the FY2023-24
budget, medical insurance costs were increased by 8%, and the City’s TMRS (retirement
funding) was increased by 1.8%. Also included is a 5% cost of living for all employees,
civil service step increases, and a merit increase for general government employees.
Police and Fire expenditures make up 51% of the General Fund Budget.

The General Fund expenditures include $50,000 of contingency funds for unforeseen
events or emergency purchases during the year. Transfers will be made this year to the
Capital Projects Fund to pay for the debt service for the Rufe Snow Street Project, a joint

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