The Statham City Council approved its Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget with plans to amend it at the city’s next meeting.
The previous budget had included plans for a five percent increase for two police officers. The council decided to approve the budget without the salary increase and will revisit the issue at its July meeting.
Council member Betty Lyle was uneasy with singling out two employees for raises when the city employs 13 others, including maintenance workers.
“There’s no secrets around here,” Lyle said. “And you’re going to cause friction with the other employees if two get the raise and the others don’t.”
According to the council, there hasn’t been a salary increase in at least two years, if not three.
Council member Gayle Steed mentioned that the city still has employees on furlough days and that maybe the focus should be on less furloughs instead of raises.
“You’re talking about raises, but you’re still giving people furlough days?”
As the budget stands now, there is no increase in any other department.
The council unanimously decided to approve the budget excluding the two salary raises, but will further discuss it in July.
The city went ahead and approved the budget because municipalities are required to have a budget passed by the start of the next fiscal year, which is July 1. A municipality may amend budget items at any point throughout a fiscal year.
Other Business
In other business at the Statham City Council Meeting Tuesday night:
•the city signed off on final plats on 10 lots in Providence Estates so construction will begin shortly. The subdivision will be finalized in phases.
•a motion to discontinue a second prescription card for employees was approved saving the city $2,500 a month. Employees will still have a prescription card with BlueCross BlueShield.
•American Waste and Recycling will begin a trash and recycling program in Statham on a trial basis. It will be no additional cost to citizens and the city is not entering into a contract so can opt out at any time. The company recycles all seven plastics as well as glass, metal and other materials and the company will furnish bins. The city hopes to begin the trial by the beginning of July.
•the city decided to apply for a GEFA (Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority) loan for the water reservoir enhancements.
•a motion was approved allowing a future Boy Scouts camp to be held at the Statham Park the weekend of Oct. 15-17.
•a move to donate $7,500 to the Barrow County Economic Development Council was tabled. The economic council looks to build a stronger community by enhancing the relationship between businesses and both the private and public sector.
