SPANISH FORT, Ala. — If preliminary budget projections for 2009-10 are any indication, sound financial planning coupled with conservative spending practices are managing to pay substantial dividends for the city of Spanish Fort even amid a national recession.

“The city of Spanish Fort — due to the conservative approach of its past leadership — is extremely healthy, and while we have certainly had to make some adjustments, we have not had to lay anybody off,” Mayor Joe Bonner said Tuesday, moments before City Council members received their first glance at a rough draft of the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2010.

In its raw form, the “work-in-progress” budget estimates revenues for 2009-10 should eclipse $5.3 million, while expenses are expected to total more than $5.5 million. With an anticipated carryover from 2008-09 of $886,000, however, the city will still have enough to set aside 10 percent — or almost $625,000 — in its reserve fund and remain more than $90,000 in the black.

“Our economy is healthy, but we’re still trying to be cautious,” Bonner said, noting the figures presented skew toward worst-case scenario whenever possible to help shield the city from unforeseen economic hiccups.

City coffers should yield enough revenue to continue investment in necessary infrastructure such as streets and drainage without sacrificing needed personnel or — provided the positive local financial climate persists —  tentative plans to move forward with construction of a city complex expected to house a community center and library among other amenities.

Of course, 2008-09 proved the economy is anything but predictable.

For instance, year-to-date sales tax revenues trail the 2008-09 projection of $4.5 million by almost $1 million due in large part to shortfalls reported by the Spanish Fort Town Center. Originally expected to house at least two car dealerships, five restaurants and a Circuit City — none of which materialized — the retail development has generated only about $700,000 of its projected $1.2 million. Meanwhile, the Eastern Shore Center has generated $1.8 million, and the city’s remaining retail establishments have generated a collective $1 million.

In addition, Bonner said country revenue officials have indicated Spanish Fort can expect a decrease in ad valorem taxes for 2009-10 of between 5 and 10 percent, so the budget draft automatically plans for the latter.

On the expenses side of the evolving budget, the following represents a sample of proposed approprations for the coming year:

<$2,000 carried over from 2008-09 toward construction of a memorial in Battleship Park honoring veterans of the conflicts in Iraq.

<$2,500 for the Baldwin Country Economic Development Alliance that has helped secure numerous tenants in the I-10 Commerce Park.

<$2,000 toward continued maintenance of the city’s Web site, though Councilwoman Mary Brabner questioned the prudence of continuing the contract and offered to price out improved content and servicing of the site.

<$14,000 for the Delta Woods and Waters Expo.

<$100,000 for the Spanish Fort Fire & Rescue.

<$6,000 to help fund the remaining two Honor Flight events slated to transport World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the national memorial honoring their service.

<$4,000 for Kids Park.

<$36,000 for Elementary Park.

<$30,000 for Spirit Park.

<$200,000 to complete Phase I of construction on a weight facility at Spanish Fort High School.

<$4,000 to fund background checks associated with the city’s sports programs.

<$48,000 to the city’s four schools, with each campus receiving $12,000.

<$195,000 for the purchase of six new police cruisers. A revised budget draft will most likely be tweaked following input solicited from council members over the next few weeks and presented for a public hearing as early as the council’s Oct. 5 meeting. The city’s fiscal year begins officially on Oct. 1.

Bonner credits past mayors Ray Carter and Greg Kuhlmann — as well as the council for adhering consistently to conservative financial plans — for positioning Spanish Fort for continued prosperity amid national economic uncertainty.

“They were wise in not spending money the city didn’t have, and by not betting on the future, they were able to make some good, sound decisions. As the third mayor, had it not been for their conservative approach and the continuation of their approach we would really have to make some difficult decisions right now,” Bonner said.