A pay increase for city employees, a beefed-up police force and more money for cleaning up the community highlight the City of Seminole’s budget for FY 2021-22 that was approved by the city council last week.

With the new budget, the city anticipates taking in just under $12.5 million in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Total appropriations of about $12.3 million, coupled with a beginning balance of $1.1 million, should leave the city with an ending general fund balance of $1.3 million. Water and sewer revenues are expected to be $9.8 million, most of which is appropriated in the new budget, but the ending balance is projected to be $4.2 million.

“We are in really, really good shape. A lot of the credit goes to you all, both new and old members of the council, and the way we’re approaching improving our community,” City Manager Steve Saxon said during Tuesday’s city council meeting. “It’s not a bad community. We are, in my opinion, fantastic.”

According to Saxon, the budget includes a five percent increase for all city departments. Of that, a three percent cost of living raise will be given across the board and two percent will be reserved for merit raises, given at the discretion of department heads and the city manager.

The new budget also calls for adding one new detective and one new officer to the police force, Saxon said. In addition, $20,000 has been allocated for new cameras and one new police vehicle will be added to the fleet.

The fire department will receive $89,000 for the purchase of new bunker gear, which is the personal protective equipment used by firefighters.

“The current bunker gear they’re using is expiring and needs to be replaced,” Saxon told the council. “We don’t want our firefighters out there in expired gear, running into fires. That’s just something we’re not going to do.”

According to Saxon, $6,000 has been earmarked to pay a consultant regarding the formation of a “522 EMS District.” An ambulance district formed under this section may assess a tax on all real property within the district up to a maximum of 3 mills.

Other budgetary highlights include $125,000 for the code enforcement office, $140,000 for community cleanup ($100,000 of that amount will go to the Seminole Urban Renewal Authority) and $66,000 in new light fixtures for the downtown district.

The council also approved on Tuesday a bid from Kevin Hardeman, owner of Simply Stylin’ Barber Shop, to purchase a surplus parcel of land at 148 N. Main for $100. The land is located next to Hardeman’s shop.

In addition, the council approved a proposal from the Public Works Department to increase fees at Maple Grove Cemetery. Effective Aug. 1, fees will be as follows: Gravesite (25% of fee applied to perpetual care account): $450. Grave opening (weekdays): $400. Grave opening (weekends and city holidays): $500. Grave opening (weekends and city holidays after 12 noon): $600. Disinterment: $400. Cremation (weekday): $200. Cremation weekends and city holidays: $250. Double cremation (same space): $200 per opening. Headstone setting: $25. Headstone vault: $225.

The council also authorized Saxon to send a letter terminating the city’s agreement with the Seminole Housing Authority for the operation of the Senior Citizen Center on Fourth Street. According to Saxon, most programs for seniors occur at the Heritage House and the Senior Citizen Center has been mainly used as a voting precinct.

Mayoral appointments to various boards also gained unanimous council approval on Tuesday. Appointments include Gilbert Reese, Claudia Willis and Rick Geist (Seminole Urban Renewal Authority); Gary Adams and Mechelle Downey (Board of Adjustments); David Wilson and Jenny Morgan (Planning Commission); Stephany Lambert and Neil Craig (Lake Development Commission); Donna Quinality and Matt Gates (Park Board) and Mike Hackney and Tim Campbell (Airport Advisory Committee).

As reported in the June 11 edition of the Seminole Producer, the council on Tuesday approved a proposal from First United Bank, with participation from BancFirst and First Security Bank, to provide the city with a $1.7 million line of credit for the sewer plant project. The interest rate is fixed at 3.25 percent for a 24-month term. The city will not be required to put up any collateral.