Lincoln City Council members approved levying $299,074 in taxes Thursday to pay for the community's 2009 operating costs.

City Auditor Melanie Kitzan said that requested levies to the Burleigh County office include:

n $214,602 to the general fund.

n $23,370 for the Social Security fund.

n $5,040 for planning.

n $12,812 for pension.

n $16,238 for insurance.

n $19,425 for its building levy.

n $7,585 for its forestry department.

Kitzan clarified that this is how much the city is requesting to levy through about 61 mills.

The actual amount allotted will be approved by Burleigh County. "This is how much we are asking for; it may not be what we receive. This is what we request to balance the budget." Kitzan said. "The county auditor's office will then give us a sheet of what they are able to actually give us."

She said general fund expenditures will total $369,243.

Kitzan said the rent fund is projected at $3,000. She said the city rents out to an individual who does automotive repairs.

The highway tax fund expense is projected at $110,995.

The annual expense for Lincoln city employees' retirement is estimated at $12,202.

The 2009 expense for Social Security is $22,257.

Planning fund costs are expected to be $4,800.

Insurance cost expenses are estimated at $15,465.

The annual building fund expense is estimated at $18,500. This will be dedicated toward paying a $200,000 general obligation bond that will be used to expand Lincoln's administrative office.

The annual water revenue bond expense is projected at $23,700. This is a line item that is paid for through a special assessment.

Forestry expense is expected at $7,224 in 2009.

She said there are about 760 users of utilities - water, sewer and street lights for Lincoln are covered under enterprise funds, said Kitzan. Utility bill revenue generally cover these costs.

The water expenses are $326,115. This includes a bill that Lincoln pays to Bismarck.

Sewer costs total $69,809.

The city's garbage expense is $124,380.

Projected street light expense is $15,340.

She added the adjustment of utility rates will be revisited in January.

She said water and sewer hookups are not special assessed, but charged up-front to the builder of a home with the permit.

"A lot of our homes will not have a special assessment," Kitzan said. She predicted there will be $10,000 in revenue from this source, but possibly more. Another $5,000 is expected for builder sewer permits.

"For the most part, the only transition we are going through is our building," Kitzan said when asked what the large line items would be on the 2009 budget.

"We will hire a third police officer. We have two maintenance workers. We always budget for them to to be full-time. One is part-time for part of the year. We always budget for both to be full-time. Because of our growth, we always have that capability," she said.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)