Council set to approve $27.8 million budget

Mayor Anthony Smith and two members of the Maricopa City Council said Monday they expect little discussion or debate as the council is set to adopt its proposed 2012-13 during a special meeting Tuesday.

The council gave tentative approval of the $27.8 million budget last month. No tax increase is proposed, and there is a recommended contingency fund of $2 million. The current contingency fund is $3.2 million, with $1 million unused.

Smith said the budget process started in January with a “zero-based” philosophy, with the result being a “very solid budget where expenditures are less than anticipated revenues by about $100,000.”

Smith added the city is able to support several community nonprofits.

The city has set aside $301,000, a little more than 1 percent of the operating budget, to fund several nonprofit grants, including $50,000 for operation of the Rotary Pool and $25,000 for the Maricopa Little League.

Smith said as the outgoing mayor he is proud to pass along a balanced budget to the incoming mayor and council, who will be sworn in at 7 p.m., following the special budget meeting.

“I think this budget is one which emphasizes the financial health of the city with this council moving on to the next council,” he said.

Councilman Marvin Brown, who will be sworn in for a second term Tuesday, “They’ve done a yeoman’s job,” referring to Mayor Anthony Smith and fellow council members Alan Marchione and Carl Diedrich, members of the budget committee, and the city staff.