The City of Seward's budget for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year is set.
The Seward City Council approved the budget for the new year at its regular meeting Sept. 7.
Under the new budget, the total levy will remain at 35.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. The levy has remained the same since 2013.
Seward City Administrator Greg Butcher said the levy remained the same because of a $30 million increase in total valuation within the city. The estimated collection for property tax for the 2021-22 fiscal year is $1,740,862, up approximately $85,000 from last year.
Prior to the approval, Butcher provided highlights from the general fund.
He noted the budget did include a 3% increase in utility revenues for electric and sewer but a 0% increase for water.
The increase in wastewater rates is to help with costs associated with an improved wastewater treatment plant.
The city’s electric department budget includes significant projects such as a meter replacement project for $315,000 and an upgrade to utilities on Progressive Avenue for $425,000.
While the water budget included no increases to rates, it does call for construction of a new downtown water tower. The water tower project is slated at $2 million. The city will use $1.2 million in America Rescue Plan Act funds and has received $300,000 ARPA dollars from Seward County. The water department will cover the rest of the costs of construction, Butcher said.
Butcher said one of the biggest increases in costs stems from an 8% increase in insurance copays and premiums.
“That will be a hit for the year when we've had 0% increases the last two years,” he said.
Another cost increase is a 4% raise for city employees. The budget initially called for a 3.5% increase, but the council at its Aug. 17 meeting voted to bump the increase up to 4%. The change was noted in the new budget.
“That is approximately a $20,000 adjustment,” Butcher said.
The council opened the budget and levy discussions for public hearings, but no written or verbal comments were given for either topic.
The council then voted to approve the budget, authorize the filing of budget forms and set the property tax request.
