Oakdale Starts Hammering Out 2012 Budget

The Oakdale City Council started talking about the city’s 2012 budget at a workshop meeting Tuesday, June 28. Here are some facts about the upcoming budget year from a presentation by Oakdale Finance Director Suzanne Warren:

• The City of Oakdale spent $92,518 less in 2010 than it did in 2009.
• The city increased its general fund balance by $106,000 by spending less and bringing in more revenue than expected during the 2010 fiscal year, and the city is already $50,000 ahead of budget for the 2011 fiscal year.
• In 2012 the city will lose $50,000 in revenue it had been getting from School District 622 for police coverage.
• Possible cuts to the 2012 budget include eliminating the citywide cleanup day, eliminating the Arbor Day tree giveaway, not funding the Fourth of July fireworks and providing less public works and police support for Summerfest.
• Increasing fees, such as liquor licensing fees or utility fees are possible ways to raise revenue in 2012.