New Bloomfield approves budget

FILE: New Bloomfield City Hall is shown.
FILE: New Bloomfield City Hall is shown.

The New Bloomfield Board of Aldermen voted to approve a 2021 budget Monday evening.

The board also approved amendments to the 2020 budget to bring it up to date, accounting for changes since the plan was approved a year ago.

The city won't have the official final budget figures until Thursday, the last day of the year, but several differences between the 2020 estimates and the revenues and expenditures that have already occurred helped inform the 2021 budget.

Over the course of the year, sales tax revenue was more than $6,000 higher than expected, according to the 2020 budget as of Tuesday.

Similarly, back in March, the aldermen voted to pay off the 2012 general obligation bond before receiving a new bond for the street and stormwater project, something the city had not included in the budget approved last December.

"Everything else relatively stayed close to what it was budgeted to, obviously a lot of unforeseen things can happen throughout a year, but I'm happy with how this year has gone," city clerk Jenna Boulger said in an email.

The 2021 budget approved Monday outlined revenues and expenditures expected over the coming year, beginning Jan. 1.

The city's general fund includes sales tax, fuel tax, and Callabyte and Ameren franchise revenues and totals at $204,633. Spending from that fund, covering the $38,000 policing contract with Holts Summit Police Department, streets, parks, court and personnel expenses, is set at $204,281.

Other funds include trash, water and sewer.

The trash fund expects revenues of $55,000 and expenses of $44,200. The water fund expects $130,750 in revenue and $127,013 in expenses. The sewer fund expects $132,100 in revenue and $131,106 in spending.

Board members Rosemary Augustine and Michael Lowe Sr. voted to approve the 2021 budget and member Dan Kliethermes voted in opposition. Board member Gary Hoelscher was not in attendance.