FARMINGTON -- City officials have approved a tentative 2010-11 fiscal year budget, which includes an increase of $1.1 million in spending and the potential to add personnel to the police and fire departments.
The city council approved a tentative spending plan of $7.3 million and set a public hearing for June 7 to discuss the spending outline.
City officials aren't expected to vote on a final budget for the fiscal year until June 21.
The city's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
The city is in the final months of a $6.2 million budget.
The tentative budget includes having emergency response from the Farmington Fire Department become available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It also adds one new officer to the police department and one administrative position to city staff, said Keith Johnson, city finance director.
There are no tax increases or new fees in the budget, he said.
The budget increases paid hours for the fire department from 108 hours a week to 168, which would allow the department to offer full service on emergency response, said Fire Chief Guido Smith.
The spending plan also includes at least $300,000 to potentially address local road repair, which Mayor Scott Harbertson said has been put off for several years.
The plan also includes a pay raise for city employees.
With a tentative plan in place, officials are expected to get into the nitty-gritty of the budget in the next few weeks.
Johnson said the budget does project some increase in sales tax revenue, thanks to the Station Park project, but he noted those revenue estimates are conservative.
Councilman Jim Talbot voted to approve the tentative budget but said some specific issues need to be addressed before a final draft is ready for public review.
He was assured the tentative budget only moves the process forward and does not lock anything into place.
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