Jefferson City's council members got their first look Monday evening at Mayor Eric Struemph's proposed $30.735 million spending plan, for the city business year that begins Nov. 1.
Struemph told the 10-member council: "After reviewing this budget for nearly six months, this budget shows where we can make government more efficient, while providing the same level of service in most areas."
The mayor said he appreciated the work that City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus and the city's department heads did in preparing a balanced budget, with 2.5 percent in overall cuts from this year's expenses "that don't hinder essential services - totaling over $582,000."
The mayor said city officials were able to include "nearly $700,000 in eight different infrastructure projects around our community," including new sidewalks in four different, high traffic places; a dedicated right turn lane from southbound Southwest Boulevard to westbound Edgewood; and storm sewer improvements on Southern Aire and Airview drives.
But, the mayor explained, "We're still faced with some difficult choices in order to have a balanced budget."