The Union City Council got an early jump on the upcoming city budget at workshops held May 2-3. The meetings were preliminary only, with more meetings anticipated in coming months. The 2005-2006 fiscal year begins in September.

Mayor Ralph Moore said public safety is a priority concern in the development of the upcoming budget.

"We just can't wait around," he said. "I don't think the public will forgive us for that."

Moore said the possibility of having expenditures exceeding revenues might pave the way for citizens to decide the fiscal approach the city should take. Such a move, he said, could be addressed by a bond referendum.

Interim city administrator Ski Saxby told the council he would provide an executive summary of the proceeding thus far within the next month. At that time the council will re-evaluate the priorities of department heads and continue with the budget process.

The current 2004-2005 General Fund budget totals $9,199,812. A sampling of department budgets included $714,143 allocated for administration, $875,745 for general government functions such as fees, insurance, contingencies and advertising and $375,000 for municipal court. The police department budget totaled $2,521,490, the fire department came in at $2,057,776, E-911 at $489,286, street department at $795,256 and building maintenance at $254,913.