MT. VERNON – The Mt. Vernon City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget during its regular meeting Monday night.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel told the council and the audience that the budget includes $53 million in various projects, including $450,000 on body cam equipment for the police department.

Bechtel also pointed to a $469,000 grant funded project to install new playground equipment and pickle ball courts at Veterans Park.

The council also approved an increase in sanitation and sewer rates. Trash pickup will go up $1.50 a month to $23 and sewer rates will increase by 5 percent.

The council received an update on the construction of a new police department. The completion date has been moved forward one week to June 30.

It’s expected the City will hold a dedication on July 7 and an open house on July 8. Police administrators expect to be operational in the new building on July 10.