Bush hog among needs in budget

Bush hog among needs in budget

Posted

Equipment purchases were on the minds of city officials at a second budget meeting last Thursday night where the mayor said most departments are coming in under budget.

“We have a few issues, but most of our departments are coming in under budget,” Mayor James A. Young said. 

“We are trying to get bushhoging equipment for the Street Department. Of course, we always need police cars. We need a new backhoe for the Cemetery Department. We are going to have to get some air packs for the Fire Department.

“Those are probably the biggest ticket items. There are a few items in some departments’ budget that are a little over. 

“Fuel costs are coming in close to budget because we anticipated the higher costs when doing the current fiscal year budget. But there are no big ticket issues that we have any issue with. We are trying to figure out how to budget them.”

Sales tax returns are a major source of revenue for the city. The city collects sales tax for the state and receives a portion of that back. 

To date, the city has collected $4,963,588 in sales tax revenue, up $218,698 for the same time period last fiscal year. 

Last month, the city collected $455,101, an increase of $43,860 from June 2021. 

“So far, we have had a good year,” Young said. “We just hope it continues through the rest of the fiscal year.”

Aldermen met last Tuesday at a regular meeting and made the following decisions:

• Approved paying Perry Construction’s request of $124,941 for work on the Booker T. Washington gym renovation project. Aldermen also approved the payment of $7,549 to Waggoner Engineering for work on the project. Aldermen denied a request by Waggoner to increase a change order payment passed in a previous meeting by $5,000, leaving it at $25,000.

• Approved several payment requests totaling $54,976 to Allen Engineering for work on the lighting/pavement improvement projects at the Philadelphia Municipal Airport;

• Approved the hiring of Britian Moore to work for the street department at $9 per hour;

• Approved a deal with MaxxSouth Broadband for internet service for cameras at Westside Park. The city agreed to pay a one-time $750 installation fee and then $53.99 for monthly service;

• Approved a request from the FFA to close out a Fiscal Year 2018 grant for the airport apron project; and,

• Approved the purchase of a batwing bush hog at state contract price from Windham Tractor.






Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions