FORT SMITH -- City directors approved a budget for 2015, passing the third and final reading of the ordinance Tuesday.
The directors voted 4-3, the same margin as in the previous two votes, with directors Keith Lau, Mike Lorenz and Kevin Settle voting against the ordinance.
The dissenting directors complained the budget didn't address the need for more money for the city's police and fire retirement system, that general fund expenditures exceeded revenue and that the city couldn't afford to give employees a 1 percent cost-of-living increase.
General fund revenue for 2015 is being budgeted at $45,966,554 while expenditures are expected to total $48,114,882.
The directors had to vote three times on the budget ordinance because a motion to allow one vote to suffice for three did not get the necessary five votes.
NW News on 12/18/2014