The $16,525,626 budget, which goes into effect July 1, will not raise taxes.
The financial plan passed with little discussion on a motion by Councilman Carl Ferebee and a second by Suetta Scarbrough.
City Manager Joseph Scherer could not pinpoint when the city will begin advertising for three-entry level positions the budget will fund for public works and a city planner. “It will happen in the near future,” he said.
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.
