City mulls plans for spending millions in excess funds

The city of Wichita Falls has set aside nearly $18 million in excess money from its proposed 2022-2023 budget for special one-time uses. City councilors will consider these proposals as they work toward adopting a budget Sept. 6.

The total proposed budget is $233.8 million compared to the present-year budget of $195,449,875. The additional revenue comes largely from the increased value of property taxes (the actual tax rate would decrease by six cents per $100 valuation) and an increase in sales-tax revenue. Residential water bills would increase by nine percent because of rising costs.

Here’s the city staff’s wish list for using the excess money:

Stormwater fund: $5,667,472 for continued work on the Quail Creek, Duncan Channel and Rhea Road projects.

Multi-Purpose Events Center: $2,689,00 mostly for exhibit-hall remodeling projects and $100,000 to attract entertainment acts.

Street improvements: $2,000,000 to add to the usual annual budget of $2,500,000.

Sanitation fund: $1,929,287 for new landfill scale and compactor.

Public safety radio replacement: $1,416,250 to include funds previously set aside for the project.

Police in-car video: $800,000 for cameras in 115 police vehicles and a license-plate recognition system. WFPD would look for a grant to buy officer body cameras to complement the system.

Parks & Recreation: $725,000 for replacement of equipment at parks and library plus creation of a parks plan.

Contingency: $700,000 for other expenses that might arise.

Castaway Cove Water Park: $575,000 to add a new water slide.

Champions Golf Course: $516,867 to build an events pavilion, add lighting to the driving range and for irrigation and capital improvements.

Health Department remodeling: $350,000 for interior work and to meet ADA needs.

Police SWAT vehicle: $340,000 to replace aging vehicle with newer, improved model.

Public safety needs assessment: $200,000 to hire a firm to study the police and fire department buildings.

Jessica Williams, the city's finance director, stressed that the excess money may be used only for one-time purposes, not for ongoing expenses such as salaries.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City mulls plans for spending millions in excess funds