Spending Plan for FY2022 Keeps Denison Moving Forward
The Denison City Council’s first public deliberation on the fiscal year 2022 budget at their annual budget retreat focused on strategic priorities designed to meet the demands of a growing population while continuing to deliver high-value services and maintain aging infrastructure.
As we look to FY2022, we have balanced operating budgets in both the General & Utility Funds, with days of reserve projected to be above our minimum of 60 days. GF at 68 days and UF at 70 days. The proposed $34 million general fund budget is heavy on infrastructure and equipment spending – including a record amount for road/water/sewer infrastructure – and adds 12 new full-time staff, including 2 new police officers and new streets and sanitation crews to help keep up with the growth and development taking place throughout our community.
Revenues continued to grow, as did Denison’s population and the resulting demand for services. Our finance team views FY 22 as a year for a fiscal reset. Here’s why:
FY 2020, 2021
- Expenses kept static or reduced
- Revenues kept growing
FY 2022 proposal
- Revenues growing plus American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available for needed programs
- All COVID-related budget reductions restored
- Operating costs, programs back to FY 20 capacity
- No frozen positions
The stronger-than-expected revenue growth allows the City to continue to advance the City Council’s strategic goals of staying on top of our infrastructure needs while also delivering quality of life programs through parks and recreation and thriving downtown.
Here are some of the highlights of the spending plan:
New Fire Engine
New Residential & Commercial Trash Truck
Major Utility and Street Projects include:
- Loy Lake Reconstruction
- Fall Street Overlay Program (1.8 center lane miles)
- 700 E Bullock
- 700 E Hull
- 1100-1400 blow of South 7th Ave.
- Main Street Utilities
- Crawford St. design
- Continued progress on the D3 Project
Parks and Recreation
- Playground Equipment added and updated at community parks
- Additional parking added at THF Park
- Disc golf course enhancements
- And more!
Water/Sewer Infrastructure Projects include:
- Duck Creek Interceptor
- Grayson College Water Tower
- Generators for most critical infrastructure
- And more!
Personnel
- Full Street crew - staffing of 3
- Full Utilities crew - staffing of 3
- 2 New Police Officers
- 1 Sanitation crew member
- 1 Property and Evidence Tech
- 1 Media Coordinator
- 1 Lab Technician
- Part-time help in Parks and Cemeteries
