Bridgeport council approves 2023 final budget

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport City Council opened its regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, Nov. 16, with two public hearings, one on 2023 city revenue sources and property tax ad valorum (a tax based on a property’s assessed value), and the second on the city’s final 2023 budget.

City clerk/treasurer Judy Brown advised the Council that the city is allowed to request one percent of the property taxes the county collects annually. This year that one percent equals $1,104.

“If we don’t ask for it the county still collects it and just keeps it,” said mayor pro-tem Matthew Schuh.

Brown reported that even after the city fulfills its commitment to fund the completion of the second water reservoir the city will still be left with a water reserve of $1.5 million. Schuh noted that the city’s reserve is quite adequate considering the number of others that do not have nearly that amount in a rainy-day fund to deal a catastrophic event.

In other business the council:

• Approved the 2023 fee schedule resolution.

• Approved the 2023 salary and stipends resolution.

• Approved the tax ad valorum ordinance.

• Approved the 2023 final budget ordinance.

• Set a hearing date at the Dec. 23 regular council meeting for the Capital Facilities Plan.

• Approved an ordinance designating the intersection of Monroe Avenue and 26th Street as a one-way stop for eastbound traffic on Monroe Avenue.

• Upon the recommendation of Public Works Superintendent Stuart Dezellem, approved the project closure of the Columbia Avenue water main replacement.

• Amended the Bridgeport Municipal Code 16, subdivision which brings Bridgeport’s subdivision regulations in conformance with those of the state.

Dezellem reported that Bridgeport’s wastewater treatment plant has received the operations Excellence Award for 2022. He singled out plant operator Martin Landin for his efforts during the past two years that required Landin to work without an operations building, lost in the 2020 Pearl Hill wildfire.

Work on the new water reservoir has been delayed until warmer temperatures next spring to complete repairs to the interior concrete walls. The problem involves what Dezellem calls “bird holes” in the concrete caused by insufficient vibration of the poured wet concrete allowing rock pockets to form.

“They are deep enough that I believe they need to be repaired long term,” Dezellem said.

To fill and repair the bird holes properly requires warmer weather to prevent the grout from freezing and possibly breaking loose.

“With the tank properly repaired we can deliver a quality project to the City of Bridgeport,” Dezellem said.