By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will meet again Monday to tackle more of the 2023 budget. The work session will cover the general fund. Interim City Manager Gary Meagher says there will be challenges for the council in holding the line on spending.
“I think everybody is going to be faced with things such as inflation and high fuel costs,” Meagher said. “We have a lot of equipment that we operate for the city, so fuel costs are going to be a big factor.”
Meagher says that, while costs are going up, he is hoping that revenue will be able to keep pace.
“We continue to think, maybe, we will get a little increase in sales tax, but it’s always a little hard to predict too,” Meagher said. “All of our other revenues seem to be where we expected, fairly constant.”
Meagher says he has been meeting with various department heads this past week to get a better idea of the funding they’re requesting for next year.
“They’ve really done a good job in trying to cut back on some of the things in their budgets,” Meagher said. “There’s only so much that they can do and still deliver the basic services that they provide.”
Meagher says most residents don’t know how much work goes into finding a balanced budget that can still provide what is needed to run the city.
“I don’t think the people know how tough of a job the council members do have. There’s a lot of requests, there’s a lot of services that the city provides,” Meagher said. “Trying to find that right balance of providing services, yet keeping taxes and other fees and associated revenues in a reasonable arena, it’s really a tough situation.”
Monday's meeting begins at 3 p.m. at the Hutchinson city offices.
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