Geneva parks budget sees higher spending on fuel

The Geneva Park District is proposing to spend $13.14 million in fiscal year 2012-13 under a budget unveiled this week.

It is about 5 percent higher than last year’s proposed budget. But that includes spending $765,997 for the new north bridge at Island Park, of which 80 percent of the cost is being picked up by the state.

It budgets for average salary raises of 2.48 percent, and 17 percent more on gasoline and diesel fuel. The fuel cost is higher not because of higher mileage, but because of increased price, according to a memo by Christy Powell, the district’s finance director.

It anticipates spending $161,500 on a new tractor, trucks and mowers; $107,000 to stabilize the shoreline of the Fox River and a tributary at Bennett Park; and $225,000 for revamping and refurbishing playgrounds at Island Park and Deer Path Park. A new operating expense is a $22 fee the American Red Cross is charging the district for each worker who undergoes CPR training. The district requires such training of all workers.

About 12 percent of the budget will go to pay debt.

Property taxes should account for about 54 percent of the money the district will take in.

The proposed budget anticipates reducing tax levies for the liability, audit, Social Security and Special Recreation Association funds, because those funds will have enough left in their accounts at the end of this fiscal year to meet the district’s goal of having no more than a 30 percent reserve.

The new fiscal year begins May 1. The park board will have a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7 p.m. May 21, followed by the vote.