Before the annual tax levy ordinance can be approved by the city council, the pension report must first be passed.

The pension report is a summary of last year’s funds intended for retirees that were employed by the city, including policemen and firefighters.

This allows the Pension Board to manage the funds used for future retirees.

Next, the annual tax levy, which is required to be filed by the end of the year, will then be voted.

The ordinance, which is being filed for the upcoming fiscal year, must be approved and duly published and made available at the city clerk’s office by the end of year.

The first step in creating the budget is to start with how much money is needed for the city, and then to decide how to spend it.

“It’s kind of like working backwards,” Mayor Inyart said.

The budget is requesting over $3.8 million, which will be in effect on May 1, 2011.

According to Inyart, there is a $55,000 increase from the previous fiscal year.

The city cannot levee for more than 2.7% from previous years.

In other business, two street ordinances are to be determined by the council to ban parking along Oxford Court and Summerfield Lane.

Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-7944 or at altwaits@eiu.edu.