City leaders took their first look at the proposed budget during the council meeting Monday night.
Mayor Doris Jones described the budget as a "very rough draft."
The council will conduct a work session at 5:30 p.m. on June 21, at Waleska City Hall to review the budget and make any necessary changes, according to City Councilwoman Mary Helen Lamb.
The proposed budget, which would begin in July, calls for revenues to be set at $1.25 million, down from the current budget's $1.3 million. Expenditures are budgeted at $1.3 million, an increase from the current budget's $1.1 million.
The current millage rate of 3.573 mills was used to determine the proposed budget. The new millage rate will be set by the council later this year, after the county tax digest is received.
The budget includes a general fund, which covers day-to-day operations, of $252,905, a rise from the current budget of $246,657.
Water fund revenues are projected at $718,081, down from $819,181 in the current budget. The fund's expenditures are $830,753, up from the current budget's $713,339. The 2010-11 budget as proposed includes an increase in the amount of water the city purchases, from the current $250,000 to $350,000 for the coming year.
Councilman Hill Cochran said the city has enough money in reserves to cover the difference in the water fund. He added there is a chance the use of reserves may not be necessary as the city government always overestimates its expenditures.
"We may not hit that mark in expenditures," he said.
The council has budgeted for $280,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax revenues, down from $323,000 in the current budget. The budget calls for $227,731 in expenditures, up from the current $208,931.
"SPLOST has dropped some because people are not spending," Mrs. Lamb said.
Ms. Jones said the council is keeping expenses as low as possible without impacting citizens.
"We did not have to cut services," she said. "I think we are doing OK."
Post a Comment