Windcrest City Council on Sept. 17 adopted a new budget and property tax rate, but not before making some changes to the document that will guide the city through fiscal year 2008.

The new general fund budget projects $4.8 million in revenues and $4.6 million in expenditures. The amended fiscal year 2007 budget for expenses stood at $4.09 million.

City officials dropped the tax from 41 cents per $100 valuation to 40.7 cents. But rising appraisal values mean the city should see an increase in property tax revenues.

Before adopting the budget and tax, council approved adjustments recommended by City Administrator Ronnie Cain. Due to uncertainty about when the newly annexed Windsor Park Mall property goes onto the local assessment roll, Cain suggested lowering the ad valorem tax income estimate by $100,000.

Among other amendments, the new budget now reflects a hike in the city administrator’s pay, a move made in a recent council workshop. Following a review of the recent annual salary survey, local officials found Cain’s pay to be below his counterparts in surrounding cities.

Cain’s salary is now in the top one-third of his contemporaries. Mayor Jack Leonhardt said the raise is meant to recognize Cain’s “increasing importance to the city as revitalization efforts continue.”

The budget retains a listing for a police patrolman, but no funding is being allocated.

“It’s not that we’re taking a patrolman position out of the budget. It’s just that we wouldn’t fund it at this time until a time we can determine how much will be available later and if the need grows,” Cain added.

The new budget reduced a projected fire chief’s salary by $50,000 to reflect the fact that the city will stick with a volunteer chief.

Additionally, public works salaries increased for two new positions, a move meant to reflect the newly acquired properties in the Windsor/ Rackspace deal. Given all adjustments, the city projects remaining fiscally in the black for FY 2008.

In other action Sept. 17, council:

• Approved rezoning the mall property from temporary residential to neighborhood business.

• Amended the city’s 6-month-old graffiti ordinance. Cain said the city has encountered problems having affected property owners voluntary remove graffiti from their land.

The revised law makes removal require, and also expands the definition of tools used in tagging.

Some council members expressed concern that undue pressure is placed upon property owners, especially residents, in totally removing graffiti.