For all purposes, Seneca’s new spending:  $68.2M

Seneca’s elected leaders took a preliminary vote last night on new spending and revenues for a new year of city government.  The proposed budgets are balanced, says the city administrator.  They are highlighted by the first property tax increase since 2019, and include upcharges for other services such as water and electric power.  The city council gave unanimous approval to City Administrator Moulder’s presentation and will take a couple of weeks before holding a public hearing and a final vote.  Interviewed after the meeting, Councilman Ernest Riley described the considerations as a tradeoff:  a 7-tax mill increase offsets what could have been even higher utility rate increases than that which are being pursued.  One Seneca tax mill is calculated to generate some $44 thousand.  Other increases include higher building permit fees and an additional $3 dollars a week for commercial roll cart users.  Counting all projected numbers, Seneca budgets will be $68.2 million.  The largest single budget remains the Light and Water fund.  Utilities remain the goose that lays Seneca’s golden egg.  They are projected at $46.7 million.