Westminster's FY2014 Budget Could Include Salary Increases, Tax Reduction

Westminster's Mayor and Common Council will hear recommendations from the city's finance committee at a FY2014 budget workshop next Monday. 

Common Council member Robert Wack, chair of the finance committee, said that the city will see some healthcare-related expenses increase in FY14. He also said the finance committee will propose a decrease in the tax rate and a three percent salary increase for city employees.  

During Monday's regularly scheduled meeting of the Mayor and Common Council, Wack said that employee benefits are one of the city's biggest expenses driven by outside sources.

According to Wack, healthcare expenses increased by $190,000 last year. In addition, he said that the city will have to increase its payment to the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System (LEOPS) by $168,000 in FY14. 

Wack said that the city is in a good position to absorb the increased costs. 

"Fortunately we have been planning for these things, we have the capacity to absorb the costs without any stress but it is a burden that we will have going forward," Wack said.

The finance committee will also recommend a three percent salary increase across the board for city employees Wack said.

"We've been preparing for years to get our finances in order where we can afford to do this," Wack said. "It's certainly long overdue.  

According to Wack it's been close to five years since city employee salaries have increased across the board. 

Wack said the Finance Committee will also recommend a one-cent property tax reduction in FY14. 

"We increased the property taxes a few years ago to pay for capital improvements," Wack said. "We have enough capacity where we can do a one-cent tax cut."