By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The Niles City Council on Monday night approved the city's 2004 fiscal year budget, which calls for expenditures of $6.824 million.
That's down from this year's budget of $7.8 million in expenditures, said David Flowers, the city's finance director and treasurer.
Next year's fiscal year budget also reflects reduced revenues from state revenue sharing and sales tax collections.
Flowers also said the new budget reflects changes in the water department, which is preparing for a $5.5 million bond issue.
At Monday night's meeting, the city council showed its appreciation to 30-year city employee Betty Smith Phillips, who retired recently as deputy treasurer.
While replacing Smith and her 30 years of knowledge, all from work in the city's treasurer's department, will be difficult, Flowers said new city deputy treasurer Kelly Hoelcher, is up to the task.
Also at Monday night's meeting:
Niles City Police Chief Ric Huff said he hopes the police department will be moved into its new facility by Oct. 27.