Statham expects to break even with its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011.
In all, the city is expecting $2,161,728 in revenue and the same amount in expenses. A public hearing was held at the council meeting Tuesday night where no citizen spoke in favor or opposition of the proposed budget, and the council had no discussion.
The city’s largest expense, the police department is looking at a few cuts along with some proposed increases.
Requests from the police department included an increase in overtime to facilitate additional time at the firearms range. The city included in the budget a $2,000 increase to overtime pay accordingly.
The department also requested a five percent stipend for employees who are training officers or investigators. The budget added $3,500 to salary expenses to cover the stipend.
The budget also includes a $2,000 increase for bulletproof vests. The current vests are five years old, and after five years, the manufacturer is released from liability. In the event that an officer is injured from gunfire, the city could be liable.
Cuts to the department include a $3,000 reduction in gas/oil, $2,600 in printing expenses and $1,000 in training expenses.
Cuts to City Hall’s budget total $15,000. The largest of which is the decrease of $5,000 from funds going toward recreation and $3,000 from workshop expenses.
In addition, the city is budgeting for a decrease of $5,000 for dues and fees and $2,000 in office supplies and expenditures.
The budget will be up for approval at next month’s meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at the Statham City Council meeting Tuesday night:
•the council approved a decision to purchase three tasers for police officers. Each taser comes equipped with cameras and microphones for monitoring each time the trigger is pulled. Each unit will cost the city $849 and an additional $79 for the holster. Council member Hattie Thrasher opposed the purchase.
•the city adopted a new joint city/county government ordinance pertaining to emergency management.
•a decision on uninsured motorist coverage was tabled until next month’s meeting. The city is unaware at this time to how many vehicles the coverage would pertain.
•a first reading on a new telephone ordinance was waived.
•winners for the city’s essay contest were announced. The theme of the essay was “If I were mayor, I would ….” Katherine Black came in first place and received a check for $200. Ibssa Abdo was the second place winner, receiving $125, and Leslie Archer came in third, receiving $75.
•the council went into closed session to discuss personnel. No action was taken when the meeting was opened back up to the public.
