Bridgeton council adopts 2025 budget after removing proposed economic development director

Bridgeton — The City Council adopted its fiscal 2025 budget on an 8–0 roll-call vote after voting earlier to remove a proposed economic development director position from the plan.

The ordinance (bill 64–69, ordinance 24–53) sets total funding across all funds at $31,835,520, including $25,606,475 in operating expenditures, $2,340,055 in debt service and $3,888,990 for capital and tax-increment financing. Council member Norris moved to delete the proposed economic development director position, citing incomplete studies and insufficient justification; the amendment passed 5–3 before the council approved the amended budget unanimously.

Why it matters: The action removes a new full-time position that council members said could carry personnel and benefit costs the council had not fully vetted, changing staffing and potential service priorities for the new fiscal year.

Council debate centered on whether the city had completed the background studies needed to justify a new director and whether budgeting the position would permit administration to hire without returning to the council. "I'd like to make a motion to delete economic developer director for the approximately a $150,000," Council member Norris said when proposing the amendment. Finance staff clarified the pay range in the budget reflected roughly $95,000 in base pay plus payroll taxes and benefits that could bring the total compensation closer to the figure cited in debate.

City attorney and staff said setting a pay range in the budget does not legally require the city to fill the position. "You could budget it now and fill the position or amend the budget later," the city attorney said during the discussion, noting councils frequently budget positions that are left vacant or adjusted as needs change.

Council members also approved a separate personnel amendment to remove a proposed building inspector position and add a code-enforcement inspector in public works. Council member Luther said the code-enforcement position carries a lower hourly range (code-enforcement $22.89–$32.18 per hour versus building inspector $30.87–$43.37 per hour), a change the council approved 8–0.

Mayor and staff follow-up: The mayor directed finance staff to post the updated budget online and to provide the council with the revised document. Finance officer Christine (as noted in the meeting) will make the amendments and publish the updated budget.

What’s next: The amended budget takes effect as ordinance 24–53; staff will implement the personnel changes and prepare any required administrative follow-ups.

Sources: Council debate and roll-call votes recorded during the Bridgeton City Council meeting.