Huntington Woods Approves 2011-2012 Budget

The Huntington Woods City Commission officially approved the 2011-2012 city budget during its meeting Tuesday night at .

While general fund revenues are projected to decline from $5,713,434 this fiscal year to $5,581,610 in 2012-2013, the drop is less than expected. In addition, the rainy day fund remains funded above 15 percent, and property values appear to have bottomed out in 2010. to read more about the budget, titled The Rain Continues.

"This culminates a process of approximately six weeks that you (Mayor Ronald Gillham and the City Commission) have had to review the budget," City Manager Alex Allie said Tuesday night.

Commissioner Mary White praised Allie, Finance Director Tony Lehmann, all of the city's department heads and the Budget Advisory Committee for their efforts to keep Huntington Woods in a sound financial position.

"This didn't happen overnight. We did things that were ahead of the game, beginning years ago," she said. "It's not rosy but our city's functioning. We have a really vibrant community and people want to live here."

Gillham also praised residents for passing a millage request several years ago that has helped the city maintain its quality of life.

"Everybody in town had a chance to participate and they did," he said.

Commissioner Jeffrey Jenks lamented the $121,468 worth of lost state revenue-sharing funds in the budget, pointing out that those dollars could have been used to compensate for a tax collection shortfall or put toward long-term pension obligations.

He faulted the state for trying to balance its budget on the backs of schools and local communities.

Allie chimed in to note that the city is increasingly reliant on property taxes for revenue, which puts its finances in a precarious situation.

In turn, a feisty Jenks half-jokingly suggested that, when it collects taxes, Huntington Woods should retain an amount equal to its lost share of state revenue-sharing funds.

"It would be illegal, but it would remind people," he said.