Consensus paves way for final 2011 budget

By Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

The New Prague City Council came to a consensus regarding the proposed 2011 city budget at Monday, Dec. 6, meeting.

The discussion on the budget began during a public hearing at 6 p.m. and continued at the council's 7 p.m. business meeting.

The consensus allows city staff to make changes to the proposed budget, which will be presented for final approval at the council's Monday, Dec. 20, meeting. Among the items the council agreed to was removal of an estimated $50,000 to be set aside for a ladder truck requested by the New Prague Fire Department. Also addressed was a request from the city's Economic Development Authority (EDA) for a $100,000 preliminary levy. It was decided that would be cut to $50,000.

Earlier in the meeting, EDA president Bruce Wolf explained the funds would help the organization expand the city's industrial and commercial property tax base. It could also help create the next phase of an industrial park. The remaining one acre owned by the city in the current business park is being leased.

Do you think it's fair to our citizens? asked council member Jim Kratochvil about the request. I understand where you're coming from