Cambridge freezes levy

Recognizing the tough economic times, the city council holds the line at 2008 level.

CAMBRIDGE – Cambridge is not increasing its total levy amount in 2009.
Instead, the levy will remain frozen at the 2008 figure of $4,479,087.
"I think council did an excellent job of being sensitive to the economic times while being sure core services are continued without interruption," said Cambridge City Administrator Lynda Woulfe.
She pointed out that council members heard from citizens that they're having trouble making ends meet. Thus they decided to freeze the levy.
Citizens may or may not see an increase in their total property tax bills, depending on whether their valuation is adjusted and how much the county and school district levies change.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CITY?
This freeze means the city will stay at its current staffing levels. To accommodate a maintenance person at the new Armed Forces Readiness Center (AFRC), Cambridge will eliminate an administrative assistant position at city hall.
Holding the line is softened by the increase this year in local government aid. It will be $198,000 more than the $603,000 the city received in 2008.
City staff also anticipate that building permits will slowly pick up, adding $95,000 to the city's coffers in 2009.
TOTAL BUDGET INCREASING
Overall, the city's general fund budget is increasing in 2009 over the 2008 figure. It will be $5,682,809 in 2009 compared to $5,440,113 in 2008 and $5,265,356 in 2007.
General government expenses (such as administrative, legal and community development) and parks will be down, while fire, police and public works are up.
"The council placed a high priority on public safety and public works," said Woulfe. Items such as snow plowing and police response time will not be affected by this year's budget.
Major expenses in 2009 include: new squad car and computers ($37,000), park upgrades and tennis court rehabilitation ($35,000); maintenance equipment for the parks and public works departments ($235,000); computer and printing equipment for city hall ($10,000); pumper truck for the fire department ($360,000); sewer system upgrades including the rehabilitation of the high school lift station ($100,000); and street repairs ($420,000).
The city will pay back $381,028 on debt it has incurred for construction projects. Of that, $200,000 will go towards the Cambridge Opportunity Industrial Park. This is a decrease in what was initially planned. However, the city has a total of seven years to repay the entire amount.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Staffing levels are the same. However, an administrative assistant position will be eliminated to add a maintenance position at the new community center. Part-time staff will be added as needed at the liquor store. The city planner position will continue to remain vacant.
• Local government aid increased by $198,000.
• Building permits are expected to pick up.
• Proceeds totalling $285,000 will be transferred from the liquor store fund to the city's general fund.
• The city will switch to an every-other-year schedule for road improvements, rather than do a major project every year. Work will be done in 2009 and then again in 2011, and so on.
• The city will not put as much towards repaying the debt on the Opportunity Industrial Park.

MAJOR EXPENSES
• Squad car and computers for police department ($37,000)
• Park upgrades and tennis court rehabilitation ($35,000)
• Maintenance equipment for the parks and public works departments ($235,000)
• Computer and printing equipment for city hall ($10,000)
• A pumper truck for the fire department ($360,000)
• Sewer system upgrades including the rehabilitation of the high school lift station ($100,000)
• Street repairs ($420,000)

ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
• 1 squad car replacement
• $15,000 of park improvements
• $10,000 reduction in a marketing contract for the economic development authority
• East Cambridge welcome sign lighting at night
• Machine shop upgrades
• Equipment for the emergency operation center (The city is working with the county to locate a central one at the government center)
• Emergency weather siren near Sandquist Park (The existing one can be heard there)
• $50,000 of council contingency funds
• Comprehensive plan update
• Cell phones for staff members that do not need them for safety