Kansas City City Manager Troy Schulte submitted his official proposed budget for 2014-2015 to Mayor Sly James Wednesday afternoon.
The plan calls for an overall 2.7 percent increase in spending. About 40 percent of that $37 million increase will go to start fully funding the city's share of its long underfunded employee pensions.
Basic services budgets remain at about 2013-2014 levels, but cuts are planned in the municipal court and in jobs at City Hall.
Schulte did include funds to meet a council commitment to increase spending for arts programs by $325,000.
A boost in support for the arts was recommended by the Mayor's Task Force for the Arts. This includes $50,000 for a new film commission, $75,000 for ArtsKC, and $200,000 for two new city positions to staff a newly created Office of Creative Services.
The mayor will submit any revisions he might want to make by Feb. 6, before public hearings and a council vote. The final budget will be adopted March 27 and take effect on May 1.
