Year-end budget changes

Colfax city council members Monday night approved year-end additions to the 2011 budget to cover unanticipated expenses during the year. City Treasurer Mark Clinton said purchases made by the police department, some of them required by the hiring of new officers, added costs to the police budget. He added some of the costs reverted to the city after a federal grant program ceased. Among the expenses were $1,654 for bullet proof vests and $1,119 for handguns.

The city also had to amend the budget to accommodate purchase of a $3,829 new vacuum system for the city swim pool after the previous equipment broke down. Other capital expenses included an attachment for public works at $3,356 and unemployment claim costs of $1,107 for Fire Chief Ralph Walter in the third quarter of 2010. Walter had been fired by Mayor Becker who later decided to reverse her decision after hearing testimony during a civil service hearing.

Treasurer Clinton also reported the year-end construction costs total for the S. Mill Street project has now hit $657,997 which will now be added to the budget figures. The city retains five percent of the contractors’ billings until the job is formally accepted.

The year-end amendments put the city budget total for the current year at $3,738,461.