Jeffersontown council reviews $35 million budget proposal, flags public‑works staffing and amphitheater costs

Bill, a city staff member leading the budget presentation, told the Jeffersontown City Council the proposed budget relies primarily on three revenue sources—property tax, occupational tax and insurance premiums—and that the city’s bottom-line revenue is roughly $4.6 million higher before grant proceeds. He said occupational tax receipts are projected to rise by about $3 million (from $17.3 million to $20.3 million) and that the insurance‑premium line is estimated at $7 million.

The proposed budget carries conservative assumptions, Bill said, noting he and the mayor prefer under‑estimating revenues to avoid shortfalls: "I'd rather be on the low side instead of on the high side," he said. Clarissa, who handles revenue details, told the council roughly $250,000 remains outstanding in past‑due taxes and that the office consistently files liens and sends notices to collect those amounts.

Council discussion focused on several operational pressures. Jimmy, the public‑works director, asked for three additional construction‑side workers to keep up with annexed roadway miles and to dedicate crews to sidewalks and drainage work; he warned the city has fallen years behind on ditching and sidewalk repairs and said materials costs have risen steeply—concrete moved from about $75 per yard years ago to roughly $175–$180 today. Jimmy also described the need for a multi‑purpose “swap‑and‑go” chipper truck to replace an aging unit, arguing the vehicle would serve many functions and reduce long‑term capital costs.

Ryan, representing the police department, reported the police budget is largely salaries and benefits, that the department is currently fully staffed and that the request includes four part‑time dispatchers to cover overnight shifts; the budgeted overtime is $225,000 (up from $215,000), some of which is reimbursed by grants and event detail revenues.

Several speakers raised concerns about the city’s amphitheater. Staff and councilors said the city may have accepted the operating contract before the venue was ready, which put extra strain on public‑works crews during final construction and events; Bill said operational issues and parking remain unresolved and that the council will review arrangements with the current operator after upcoming events.

Other budget highlights: proposed one‑time additions to reserves (a $750,000 severance reserve and roughly $1,080,000 to the rainy‑day fund), a projected $120,000 decline in the road fund tied to state distributions, and capital projects that include HVAC and roofing work, Jeffersonian staging and partitions, and a failing public‑works garage for which staff requested a larger replacement and an $84,000 temporary rental budget while construction proceeds.

The council agreed to hold the required public hearing on taxes and road funding the following night. A motion to adjourn closed the meeting.

The packet and staff presentation include itemized department budgets, grant pages for the parkway and sidewalks projects, and an improvement‑project list that staff said totals roughly $1.7–1.8 million for this cycle.