By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The Chelsea City Council approved a nearly $2.6 million capital budget and a $7.6 million general budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year on Oct. 6.

“This has not been an easy budget to work with,” Mayor Earl Niven said, noting the city’s growth and ongoing capital projects, including the new community center and sports complex. “We’re very proud of our city and what we have so far. This will keep us moving in that positive direction.”

For the capital budget, the following is a breakdown of estimated revenue totaling $2,594,808: Capital fund, $686,455; sales tax cap fund, $768,000; retained earnings, $1,065,353; and grants, $75,000.

The following is a breakdown of estimated expenditures totaling $2,594,808: Infrastructure improvement (Cupid Lane, Ferguson Road, Rich Drive), $40,000; land purchase (Blackerby/Ray – 26 acres), $172,000; fire and rescue (storage building, land – fire station location, SCBA and transport), $225,000; and park and recreation (sports complex road and water, ball fields – Phase 1, electricity and lights, community center project and complex dam project), $2,157,808.

For the general budget, which covers mainly operational expenses of the city, the following is a breakdown of estimated revenue: Sales tax, $6,111,000; alcohol tax, $18,000; business license, $375,000; franchise tax, $500,000; real estate license, $200; mobile home registration, $300; motor vehicle license, $40,000; building permits, $85,000; planning fees, $2,500; tap fees, $80,000; police fines, $8,000; interest earned, $5,000; grant, $75,000; fire contracts, $50,000; transport, $175,000; and education resource officer, $117,750.

The following is a breakdown of estimated expenditures: Professional fees, $75,000; training, $7,500; city notions and recognitions, $2,000; membership dues, $24,206; administrative expenses, $49,500; insurance, $120,000; operational expense, $87,700; publicity, $30,000; other expenses, $24,800; personnel, $841,184; donations, $126,500; capital items, $1,833,353; fire/police department, $2,435,690; annexation, $1,000; library, $68,490; parks and beautification, $190,500; streets and roads, $22,000; senior adults, $6,050; mortgage, $1,237,019; abatement, $400,000; and budget reserve fund, $60,258.

The council also approved a resolution to purchase fitness and exercise equipment for the Chelsea Community Center for $24,165 from Fitness Zone.

The equipment includes three commercial treadmills, three commercial elipticals, a recumbent bike, an upright bike and a body trainer bike, Niven said.

The city will also incorporate several pieces of its women’s exercise equipment in the fitness room.

The Out of the Blue show choir from Chelsea High School performed four numbers at the council meeting.

The 32-member choir is directed by CHHS choral music teacher Kay Dick.