City in good financial position

The Charleston City Council approved the 2011 and 2012 fiscal budget Tuesday.

At a public hearing before the meeting, Charleston City Comptroller Heather Kuykendall said the city is in a good position financially.

Mayor John Inyart said the budget has been placed on file for public inspection since March 19 and he has not received any feedback from the public about the budget.

The 2011-2012 budget projects a balanced budget of $10.6 million for the general fund.

The total budget has $25, 605,198 in revenues, $25,006, 223 in expenses and a net income of $598,975.

“Hopefully, the state does not make any adjustments,” Inyart said.

On other matters, the council approved a resolution to continue the agreement with Eastern to provide the city with updated information on its infrastructure.

Eastern will receive $6,250 for additional mapping services, though Steven DiNaso, a professor of geography and the coordinator of Geography Information Services Initiative, said most of the money goes to fees for the equipment and toward student internships.

The council also passed a water/sewer rate increase for Charleston residents and Eastern.

Residents will pay $11.65 minimum charge for 1,000 gallons or less. Before, residents paid $11.14.

Eastern will pay $11.21 per 1,000 gallons of water, which is paid in a bulk rate. Eastern did pay $10.72 per 1,000 gallons of water.

Also, the council approved an ordinance to amend waste hauling fees, which will increase the fees, though Inyart said the council has not amended these fees since the 1970’s.

The council approved a proportion of the tax incrementing finance, which helps businesses in downtown Charleston improve their buildings.

Karate USA at 505 Seventh St., Southside Café at 614 Jackson Ave., and the Charleston Police Department at 614 Sixth St. will use the TIF to update their buildings.

Also, the council approved an ordinance to change the “yield” signs to “stop” signs on Adams Avenue and Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets.

The council approved granting a tourism fund for Celebration: A Festival of the Arts, IHSA Girls State Badminton Championships, IHSA State Track Meets, and the Red, White & Blue Days.

Inyart said the tourism fund helps theses event advertise and increase tourism in Charleston.

The council approved the raffle licenses for the sixth annual Autism Benefit, Court Appointed Special Advocate at the Coles County Fair, the Cornerstone Christian Academy and Coles County Fair Queen Pageant.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].