O’Fallon looks at rising costs in FY23 proposed budget

A $104.7 million proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes an increase in public safety and plans to begin long-awaited parks and recreation projects in O’Fallon, depending on possible grant money to supplement it.

Finance Director Sandy Evans presented the FY23 budget for final review to the council’s Finance and Administration Committee on Monday, March 28.

This is a change of $6,142,000 from the Feb. 28 review because of the addition of capital projects in the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund, which includes:

• Blazier Field turf for $206,000, with half of cost being paid by O’Fallon Township High School.
• Pool/Katy Cavins Center study for $900,000.
• All Abilities Playground/Trail project for $1 million.

Evans said the staff does not expect the full amount needed this fiscal year for the pool design, so then that would allow the All Abilities Playground ($500,000) to be done as well.

Staff is still waiting to hear if a grant will be awarded.

“We’re still in the running,” she said.

If not, then only the playground will be done this fiscal year. According to the trust fund policy, the city will retain $4 million in the fund so that the balance of the fund can continue to grow for future projects.

The annual budget must be passed before the start of the fiscal year Sunday, May 1, and filed with the St. Clair County clerk prior to that.

The budget’s public hearing will be Monday, April 4, before the council meeting, and is expected to be up for final approval Thursday, April 21.

The total, $104,707,382, includes interdepartmental transfers. Without them, the budget is $85,777, 438.

The amended budget for FY22 was $81,521,492 and FY21 as $75,255,980. The global coronavirus pandemic also affected these.

The proposed documents — a budget summary by fund, a revised large spend detail report, a New World budget report, and a strategic plan report showing what items in the FY23 budget correspond to the city’s strategic plan — are available at the city’s website.

Also included is a Strategic Plan report showing which items in the FY23 budget correspond to the City’s Strategic Plan.