Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The Spencer City Council Budget committee has completed their line-by-line review of departmental budgets, capital improvement projects, and disbursement of Lodging and Sales tax revenue.

Most services are personnel-heavy and rely on property tax proceeds. Expenses at the Police Department – for example – are over 2.4 million dollars, with only 94 thousand dollars generated. The Municipal Golf Course is the only department to generate a net profit – probably in the 25 thousand dollar range this year.
City Manager Kevin Robinson says two employees have been eliminated, and vehicle maintenance has been scaled back in an effort to do more with less.

The Budget Committee has also decided to limit the amount of money one entity can receive from special revenues, but the grants themselves will be decided by the full council.

City staff continues to work on other line items with February 23rd the tentative date for the full council to approve the spending plan that goes into effect July 1st.