The Cordova City Council approved the city’s budget for fiscal year 2023 at its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 7, with an increase from prior years due to rising costs.
The budget increase came as the city rebuilds its capacity, post-COVID-19 pandemic, to deliver expected community services, according to City Manager Helen Howarth. The budget was approved with modest fee increases for commercial and industrial users of water/sewer/refuse and no increase in property tax revenue. Parks and Recreation, Cordova Center and Harbor departments increased fees to bring revenues more in line with user costs, Howarth said.
“The budget adds critical positions needed to maintain city services including staff to fill deficiencies within the Parks and Recreation and Public Safety departments, as well as adding staff to focus on leveraging one-time federal infrastructure funding. City workers represented by the IBEW (labor union) and exempt staff have been given a wage increase,” Howarth said.
“The budget is the result of hard work by city departments to balance delivery of service with budget constraints. Staff is committed to continue its efforts to become more efficient and effective and find new revenue during fiscal year 2023.”
“If we are going to maintain services and keep up with inflation, we have to either raise revenues or cut somewhere,” said Mayor David Allison during the meeting. “I think many people are willing and able to pay for the services that they desire, and some may not. We need to keep that in mind this year.”
The mayor shared that the council has been working hard on the $17,569,066 city operating budget for 2023 over the last few months. The council, albeit having some different perspectives on the budget, came to an agreement and the resolution was approved at the meeting.
Presenting the city manager’s report, City Manager Howarth also discussed an upcoming change in the health insurance plan/professional benefits for city staff. The Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will have better service, be more comprehensive and cost less money, according to Howarth.
Election advertising will also begin starting on Dec. 23. Information on how to declare candidacy and other information will be shared in The Cordova Times and on the city council website.
