VALPARAISO | The council put its financial house in order for the coming year Monday by approving its budget and salary ordinances for 2009.

The proposed 2009 budget of $24.66 million is about $131,000 less than the 2008 budget. The biggest savings next year will be in the parks department, which cut its budget by more than $300,000 from 2008. The vehicle maintenance budget was slashed by about $120,000 to $396,252, and the project management office budget was reduced about $27,000 to $172,467.

Most of the departments have budgets that are almost identical to their 2008 amount, but the solid waste/recycling department anticipates about a $200,000 increase over this year's budget with most of that coming in fuel costs.

The fire department will spend a little less in 2009 despite the expected opening of the third fire station on Tower Road and the hiring of three new firefighters or emergency medical technicians to man it.

The department also is the only one, except for elected officials, not receiving a 3 percent pay raise. Firefighters agreed to accept a 2 percent increase in order to provide funding for the additional personnel for the new fire station.

Salaries in the fire department will range from $37,957 for an administrative assistant and $39,385 for a probationary firefighter to $68,237 for the chief. EMTs and inspectors are among those who will receive an additional $1,000, while the hazardous materials officer will get $1,500 and a paramedic will get $5,000 more. All get a uniform allowance of $725.

Police department salaries range from $39,297 for a probationary officer to $68,683 for the chief. The uniform allowance for police is $1,200 a year, and crossing guards will get $11.30 an hour. Officers are eligible for additional pay depending on the number of years of service and additional training they receive. The maximum for an officer with at least 12 years of service and successful completion of three approved schools is $3,000 a year.

Salaries for department heads include $72,000 for the city administrator; $59,000 for the directors of engineering, parks, planning, public works, project management and economic development; $56,750 for the MIS and the human resources directors, and $43,025 for the building commissioner.

Employees also are eligible for additional pay based on longevity ranging from $200 a year for three years of service to $2,000 for more than 20 years. Elected officials' pay was kept at $56,500 for the mayor, $55,000 for the clerk-treasurer and $6,000 for the council members. The mayor and clerk-treasurer's positions also qualify for the longevity pay.

Members of the plan commission, board of zoning appeals and the park board stay at $600 a year.