Westminster Approves Fiscal Year 2014 Budget with Tax Cut, Salary Increases

Westminster's Mayor and Common Council voted 3-1 to approve the fiscal year 2014 budget at a regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening. 

The approved budget is unchanged from the budget that was introduced in April.

The budget beginning July 1 totals just over $33 million and is an approximate 1 percent decrease from the current $33.60 million budget.

The budget includes a 1 cent reduction in the property tax rate, a 3 percent cost of living raise for city employees and no change in the water and sewer rates. 

Mayor Kevin Utz said he is proud of several aspects of the budget, including salary increases. 

"We were able to find a 3 percent raise for employees who have mercifully put themselves out there to make this City the best it can be," Utz told Patch Monday night. "They have found ways to cut operating expenses and found ways to do more with less and it’s a deserved raise so I’m happy that we have a chance to reward them for a job well done." 

Public safety accounts for 40 percent of the general fund at approximately $6 million and public works accounts for 31 percent at approximately $4.7 million. 

Councilman Paul Whitson voted against the budget and Councilman Tony Chiavacci was not present at the meeting. 

View details of the approved budget on the City of Westminster website. 

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