The city of Henryetta is going to be working on a $14,225,527 budget next year. That is above the $13.920 million budgeted a year ago.
That was the amount approved at a hearing Tuesday night.
The bulk of the money is going to be coming from taxes, most in the form of city sales taxes. Under the figures for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the city will receive $2.206 million into the general fund with another $1.045 million from special revenue and capital project funds.
Out of that, $10,305,224 is expected to be spent leaving the town with $3,920,303 in surplus.
The police,fire and water departments are going to get the largest expenditures with $1,010,735 for police, $1,018,977 for fire and $1,291,741 for water. The police and fire department budgets are lower than last year.

city budget

storm drains

The heavy rains during recent weeks has put a strain on Henryetta's storm drainage system. In several areas, water has backed up threatening homes and flooding yards and streets.
Inspection of some of those drains has revealed the drain openings have either been completely or partially covered by roadway asphalt while others are clogged with dirt, sand and gravel accumulating over the years.
Some of those drains channel the water into clay tile pipes that were orginially laid down some 50 years ago. Many of those pipes have broken and caved in leaving the water with no place to go.
Henryetta is not alone in this issue with other communities across Oklahoma and the United States facing deteriorating infrastructure.
Just on wastewater and storm water issues along, the EPA estimates $271 billion is needed for wastewater infrastructure over the next 25 years. While the federal government provides some funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors 95% of spending on water infrastructure is made at the local level.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers Oklahoma received a D+ grade on the condition of water and wastewater systems across the state.