Westwego City Council Adopts New Budget

WESTWEGO, La. (AP) — The Westwego City Council has approved a $15 million operating budget for the 2013 fiscal year.

The budget approved Monday night anticipates a slim $247,000 unrestricted fund balance -- the amount left over a year from now once bills are paid.

Mayor John Shaddinger's spending plan passed by a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Larry Warino Sr. the lone dissenter. He called on Shaddinger to cut further.

The Times-Picayune reports (bit.ly/YWA6zv) the budget includes continued subsidies for the city's water and sewerage plants. Shaddinger pointed out that during the past four years, the city has increased garbage collection fees, upped sewerage fees by 15 percent and raised from 50 cents to $1.90 the monthly cost for mosquito control.

Shaddinger said he did not want to cut essential services.