Houghton Begins Reviewing Budget Proposals for 2024-25

Houghton has begun working on the city’s 2024-25 budget. Last night the city council held the second budget work session to review department revenues and allocation proposals for the coming year.

City Manager Eric Waara led the council through the city’s public improvement, Parking, Water, Sewer, Employee benefit, and equipment fund detailing how each department brings money into the city, and how funds are spent over the year. Each department’s budget uses historical data and takes into consideration anticipated projects and expenditures to create each proposed budget.

Waara says that the parking fund has seen an increase in revenue over the past year, which Houghton anticipated with the new parking fee and permit system. Most of the parking funds budget goes toward winter snow removal, however the city does expect to include expenses accrued while addressing issues with the Subway Garage and surface lots at the Isle Royale and Quincy decks. 

The city will review a second draft of the budget after completing CBA negotiations with the employee contracts. Waara expects to have those updates included for a meeting later in May or Early June.