GLADSTONE — After over a month of gathering information from department heads, the Gladstone City Commission met with city staff to examine the proposed 2020-2021 fiscal year budget.

Of the proposed $18 million budget, information on the general fund was presented on during Monday’s workshop. Budget workshops continue tonight.

City Manager Eric Buckman thanked Vicki Schroeder, the city treasurer, for the hours and hours of work she put into the budget.

The estimated revenue for the general fund is $4,001,737, which would be transfered to the fund balance.

This is a slight increase from past years — with 2017-2018 at $3.37 million, 2018-2019 at $3.69 million and the projected end of the 2019-2020 at $3.68 million.

Buckman highlighted different line items.

He explained one of the reasons behind the revenue increase for the general fund balance is due to grants.

Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Sanderson plans to apply for $212,000 in grants for two projects.

According to Sanderson, $200,000 in grant funding would be used for the city’s boardwalk, which was heavily damaged by high water levels. $12,000 would be used in a preliminary plan for the John and Melissa Besse Sports Park building.

The parks and recreation department budgeted $250,000, with $200,000 coming from a grant, for the work on the boardwalks.

Sanderson said the $50,000 is budgeted for an anticipated match, which most grants have guidelines for.

Buckman noted these projects would only occur if the grants are awarded to the city.

Overall, the $4 million projected revenue will be distributed to various general fund departments.

Appropriation of the estimated revenue would be: $189,255 for city commission; $128,720 for city manager; $23,150 for elections; $78,346 for office clerk; $58,077 for city assessor; $2,953 for board of review; $110,792 for city treasurer; $129,106 for city clerk; $64,220 for city hall; $99,920 for cemetery – ground maintenance/burial; $1,466,001 for police department; $39,975 for K-9 program; $187,830 for fire department; $152,805 for community development; $101,304 for Department of Public Works administration; $12,359 for forestry; $30,980 for grounds maintenance; $14,040 for beautification; $26,806 for alley maintenance; $9,200 for computer and copier expense; $206,730 for motor equipment pool; $188,312 for recreation administration; $84,400 for parks; $78,202 for other recreational facilities; $37,650 for beach; $13,150 for ice rink; $98,532 for sports park; $318,922 for campground; and $50,000 for debt services.

The projected expenses for these departments include various line items including payroll, MERS, various insurances, contracted services, memberships and dues, legal fees, audit fees, office supplies, computer maintenance/tech. support, telephone, education and training, etc.

The total appropriations line up with the $4,001,737 in revenue.

The proposed budget saw decreases for the city commission, city manager, community development, DPW administration, beautification, computer and copier expenses, motor equipment pool, parks, beach, and sports park.

The 2020-2021 proposed budget saw an increase for elections, city treasurer, city clerk, city hall, cemetery – grounds maintenance/burial, police department, K-9 program, fire department, alley maintenance, recreation administration, other recreational facilities, ice rink, and campground.

Buckman added there were changes to categories within the general fund, as well, which included separating some categories — like forestry — and doing away with others — like the rainy day fund.

The enterprise funds for the fiscal year 2020-2021 budget will be discussed tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at city hall.