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West Des Moines is in solid financial position for its 2009/2010 fiscal year but is taking steps now to prepare in case the economy gets worse.

According to the budget approved at the Feb. 23 city council meeting, total revenues and other financing sources are projected to be $161,628,477 for the year starting July 1 and total expenditures and transfer outs are $155,589,899, giving the city a surplus of slightly more than $6 million.

However, due to the economy, the city manager asked that staffing levels remain the same, with some positions unfilled. The city also will maintain its current property tax rate of $12.05 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. Other steps include reviewing the city’s fund balances, with submittal of a second revised budget in May, prior to the end of its 2009 fiscal year on June 30.

In a letter to the city council on Jan. 31, City Manager Jeffrey Pomeranz said the budget is becoming increasingly difficult to balance due to several capital improvement projects that need funding.

“In order to assure that the city’s human and physical infrastructure keeps pace with the city’s growth,” he said, “additional revenue enhancements, strategic expenditure reductions and potential restructuring will likely be necessary in the future.”