While the public did not speak this evening, council members did.
“Budgets are getting to be tough,” Councilman Carl Ferebee said. “As we go forward we need to look at all items.”
Ferebee commended department heads for their work on the revenue and expense plan. “The department heads have done a good job. I hope we can look at additional revenues going forward.”
Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough also commended city employees “for the tremendous effort they have gone through,” and to the citizens said, “we are trying the best we can to meet your needs.”
“Good job, keep it up, thank you,” said Councilman Ernest Bobbitt.
While Mayor Emery Doughtie said he echoed the comments of the other council members, he also said he was concerned for the long-range projections. “There's been significant decreases in our unallocated fund balance. We've gone six years without a tax increase and six years with an increase in operating expense and a decrease in revenues.”
Doughtie said most of the cost increases were beyond the city's control. “It's a real concern when we look at a three, four, five year plan. At some point we've got to increase revenues or decrease services. Looking at revenues, our tax base has been stagnant for eight to 10 years now. It's tough operating and creating a budget when you're limited. I'm disappointed we didn't get more input from the community.”
The proposed $16,525,626 budget for the upcoming fiscal year will not raise taxes.
It will fund three entry-level positions in the public works department and a city planner. The proposal does not fund a T.J. Davis supervisor as requested by Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon.
The budget will also pull $660,000 from fund balance to balance the budget. The fund balance will remain at around 20 percent.
The city will rely on installment financing in the amount of $611,000, which will be used to purchase bigger ticket items for police, fire, public works and parks and recreation. The city's property tax rate of 65.1 cents per $100 of valuation remains the same. Employees will receive a 2 percent cost of living adjustment.
