JACKSON WORKERS GET 5 PERCENT PAY HIKES

All full-time employees of the city of Jackson will get a pay increase this year, their first since 1991.

The 5 percent increase for the 78 full-time employees is contained in the city's 1993, $11.1 million budget adopted Monday by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. The employees didn't received a pay hike last year because there was no extra money in the budget, officials said.

In his budget cover letter to the mayor and aldermen, City Administrator Carl Talley warned that increasing costs have occurred in most every phase of the city's operations, and again recommended the board take steps to improve the city's cash flow.

"It will be very important to follow this budget very closely and the revenues studied frequently," Talley said. "Again this year, all departmental expansions or emergency expenditures will need additional revenues added in order to meet the cash flow requirements.

"The development of this city's economic growth is needed before large expansions can be recommended for the future. In the next 10 years, city funds will not grow as fast as desired to meet planned repairs and replacement of equipment."

Talley again recommended the board consider "some changes in the structure of revenue sources."

The new budget calls for total disbursements of $11,119,297. It includes disbursements of $4.5 million for operation and maintenance of the electrical department, $1.8 million in general revenue, $90,352 for the library fund, $157,312 for the park fund, and $535,000 in the transportation sales tax fund. Another $629,700 will be spent for water and sewer construction this year.

The budget anticipates receipts this year of $10,0449,168, with Jan. 1, 1993 fund balances totaling $4,240,607. By the end of this year, the fund balances will have decreased to $3,170,478.

In other business, the board heard a presentation by School Superintendent Wayne Maupin on the proposed Middle School project that will be voted on next month.

An ordinance was adopted accepting a 15-year cable television franchise with TCI Cablevision of Missouri Inc. The previous franchise agreement expired in 1989.

Monday's meeting was the last for Ward 2 Alderman Phil Johnston, who has accepted a job in Tulsa, Okla. Johnston resigned from the board in December, but was appointed by the mayor to serve until his replacement is selected in next month's municipal election.