The Albert Lea City Manager’s office preliminary 2016 budget is approximately 4.3 percent lower than its 2015 budget.

The city manager’s 2016 preliminary budget is set at $403,249, compared to $421,563 in 2015.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said the decrease is due to the completion of the community survey and a decrease in the funding for interns for the office.

The city manager’s budget covers the salaries and benefits of Adams, Assistant City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos and the department’s senior administrative assistant. Other budgetary items include office supplies and advertising.

Adams said the decrease isn’t typical.

“I feel this budgetary approach is important to understand because we all prepare budgets that will best serve our residents at a cost that will not place much or any additional burden on taxpayers,” Adams said.

Presentations and work sessions are being held in relation to the budget. The budget and final levy are planned for adoption Dec. 14.

Other 2016 preliminary budgets and their increases from 2015 include:

$139,999 for the Albert Lea City Council, an approximate 6.5 percent increase from its   $131,499 2015 budget. This covers salaries for Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. and other council members and items such as membership dues to the League of Minnesota Cities and Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, according to Adams.

$458,297 for financial administration, an approximate 19 percent increase from its 2015 budget of $384,905. According to Adams, the increase is due to the department adding back a half-time position. The financial administration primarily covers staff salaries and benefits.