Politics & Government

Florissant Council Approves 2012 Budget

Council passes one more amendment to remove $400 bonuses from all city employees for next year and save money.

The , but it didn’t come without its share of discussion and a small change.

Six of nine councilors voiced their thoughts and concerns for the 2012 budget during the second reading.

“We spent a few days going over the budget,” Ward 8 Councilman Mark Schmidt said. “There were a couple of things in there that were amended during our budget sessions, one primarily which I wasn’t happy with, but it passed by majority, and that was our overtime expenditures.”

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In the final budget work session in October, the council approved a measure that would cut overtime in half for most city departments. 

Councilman Schmidt motioned for the overtime budgets to be restored to their original levels and that the one-time bonus of $400 for all city employees be recalled, but the vote failed, 5-4.

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That didn’t stop the councilman from attempting one last amendment. He motioned for the one-time pay adjustment to be recalled, which was approved by a vote of 5-4, and left a few council members puzzled.

“We have to be stewards of our money,” Ward 4 Councilman Keith English said. “This would have been a nice something at Christmas time. I’m really taken back by this.”

The reduction of the $400 bonus saves more than $147,000 from the city’s budget.

The council approved the budget, which totals $30.7 million, with a unanimous vote. 

Mayor Tom Schneider seemed optimistic about the approved budget.

“We’ll do the best we can with it,” he said. “I anticipate, unless we have a mild winter or little crime, it’ll be hard not to come back.”

The 2012 fiscal year begins Dec. 1.


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