The Fayette Board of Aldermen passed the city’s fiscal year 2021-22 budget during a special meeting held on Tuesday, June 29. By law, Missouri cities must pass new budgets before July 1.

The budget projects that revenues will exceed expenditures for the general, electric, water, and sewer funds by a total of $115,839.15. However, the entire budget, with expenditures projected to total $6,641,505.85, was not presented to the public during Tuesday’s meeting. Only a brief outline that listed expected revenues and expenditures for those four funds was available during the meeting.

The increase in forecasted revenues is attributed to higher property and sales taxes, as well as additional utility franchise fees.

During a 10-minute period set aside for public input during Tuesday’s meeting, one woman addressed the council with concerns. Susan Keyton, who also serves as the Howard County Treasurer, told council members she wants the city to stick to its budget, especially when it comes to making purchases and hiring new employees.

“This is a very close and tight budget,” Keyton said. “When you pass a budget July 1,  you live by that budget unless you can prove that you can pay for (new vehicles and employees) and how you pay for it. Have an open discussion and pass it.”

Keyton said she wants the council to review monthly financial reports.

“I’d be more interested in seeing a budget once it’s complete, not anticipated numbers,” she said.

The city employed the assistance of Howard County Public Administrator Lisa Asbury to complete the budget. Former City Administrator Tyler Griffith, whose job it was to lead the budget process, announced he would take a three-week leave of absence starting on June 14. He resigned three days later.

Asbury is the former Fayette City Clerk. In addition to her duties as the current Howard County Public Administrator, she is employed by Rhodes Advantage Books & Tax Service in Fayette. Joey McLiney, who works with several area municipalities including the City of Fayette with regard to financing, worked alongside Asbury to complete the budget.

“I would like to say on behalf of the council that we would like to express our sincere thanks and deep appreciation for Lisa Asbury and all the work that she has done in order to make tonight happen under extraordinary circumstances,” said Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook. 

Cook said he agreed with Keyton that more oversight needs to take place from the council regarding revenue and expenses. “A discussion needs to take place under that guise,” he said.

The budget outlined several recommendations for the city, including the need for staff to cross-train, the need for a building inspector, the need to update the city’s comprehensive plan, and better reporting to the public city council. The salary of a full-time building inspector has been included in the 2021-2022 budget.

While the budget for the street department has increased, monies were not included for street overlays. “The Board of Aldermen anticipated addressing street overlays after the sewer system project is complete,” it was stated in the budget.

The budget includes a forecasted of 10% for insurance expenditures which cover liability and property, automobiles, and workers’ compensation. The city also budgeted for expected increases to employee health insurance benefits but does not include a proposed pay increase of 75-cents per hour for hourly and salaried employees. 

The budget may be viewed in full at the Fayette Advertiser’s website: fayettenewspapers.com, or at City Hall.