City Manager Eric Smith was a little more cautious when he handed City Council the final draft of the 2013 budget last week.

It’s balanced, as usual, and has no debt, as usual, but Smith sees it as far from being final.

“We really don’t know what we’re going to get from the state next year,” Smith said. “There are a lot of taxes being taken away, and then there’s House Bill 601 (a way of consolidating municipal tax under state authority). There’s a lot of concern about that all around the Dayton area.

“This (year) is a unique circumstance. It will be somewhat of a volatile year.”

Englewood estimates its beginning funds balance will be more than $10.6 million and at the end of the year $10.2 million. It also estimates its cash balance at the end of 2013 to be nearly $19 million.

“We did a lot of public works projects this year, including the work on the roof of this (government) building,” Smith said. “We have more projects to do for 2013.

“But this is a balanced budget based on current circumstances. There’s new health care coming, and the state may cut the local government fund even more. There are a lot of other unknowns.

“I’m always pleased to boast Englewood has no debt. If there are adjustments (in the budget), that’s one item that will not change.

“If we did have to cut back, it would be in services.”