McHenry Times

The Woodstock City Council is holding a special workshop session at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Stage Left Cafe, 125 E Van Buren St., to further develop the city’s budget for 2016.

The agenda packet provided by the city said draft budgets have been developed for the general fund, the police protection, parks and performing arts funds. The Finance Department said these are to guide the council in developing the city budget.

Based on assumptions that include a 2.5 percent increases in salaries of non-union workers and increases in other areas, the preliminary budget anticipates a $138,000 deficit for the general fund. This projected deficit could change or be eliminated as the other departments complete their respective budgets.

City Manager Roscoe Stelford III and Finance Director Paul Christensen said there is an expected $215,000 increase in sales tax revenue and an additional $40,000 through video gaming tax revenue. Both said these increases are the only ones expected in the city's typical revenue streams. Due to the preliminary nature of the numbers this may change.

The agenda packet notes that that the council would benefit in discussing how funding from video game taxes would best be spent and assigning priorities on new spending initiatives, future bond opportunities and the impact of the home rule in regards to sales tax.