FAIRFIELD — City Council will vote next month on the proposed $41 million operating budget for 2001. The budget represents a $3 million, or 8 percent, increase in spending over the previous year.

        The budget calls for the hiring of about two dozen full- and part-time employ ees, including a full-time Web analyst to develop Web applications on the city's intranet and Web site. These applications would be used in utility billing and collection, income tax collection and citizens interactive systems, among other areas.

        Finance Director James Hanson said the increase in spending will allow the city to keep pace with the growth in Fairfield, which has about 45,000 residents.

        “We're planning to improve our Web site presence on the Internet to make things easier for our residents and utility customers to do business with the city of Fairfield,” he said.

        Councilman Mark Scharringhausen said the 2001 budget represents the final year of a three-year plan to upgrade services.

        In past years, the city has upgraded fire, paramedic and police services. The pro posed budget would raise the level of courts, parks and recreation, and information technology services.

        “The financial picture in Fairfield continues to be a very bright one,” said Mr. Scharringhausen, chairman of the finance committee. “We continue to be able to provide the high level of service that folks who live and do business in Fairfield have come to expect.

        “At the end of next year, we'll probably have a $3 million to $4 million reserve in the general fund,” added Mr. Scharringhausen.

        City Council will vote on the budget at its Jan. 2 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m.

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