The proposed budget was presented for consideration by Lockhart Town Council Tuesday evening. It projects revenues totaling $320,500 or $2,500 more than the current budget. Expenditures are also projected to total $320,500 or $7,839 more than was budgeted for fiscal 2008-2009.
Mrs. Ashe said balancing the budget was a long and involved process that was only completed Tuesday afternoon. She said the most difficult part was determining how much in Aid to Subdivisions the town would get from the state.
Like Lockhart, the state is required by law to have a balanced budget and the economic downturn has reduced state revenues forcing cuts in programs like Aid to Subdivisions. Mrs. Ashe said the town was expecting a reduction but didn’t know how much until just recently. She said an official with the Municipal Association told her that in all likelihood funding would be reduced from $17,500 this year to $16,000 for 2009-2010. The proposed budget reflects this projected reduction.
“It’s been difficult with the economic situation,” she said. “It put us in a bind and we had to struggle to get a balanced budget as required by law, but we did it.”
Sewer revenues are projected to increase from $110,000 this year to $115,000 next year but expenditures are also projected to increase from $97,200 to $110,400. The increases are due to a new contract the town has signed with the company that treats its sewage, Total Environmental Solutions Inc. of Baton Rouge, La. Under the new agreement, the company will charge the town $9,702 a month for sewage treatment versus the $8,100 it paid under the old contract.
The increased cost forced the town to increase its base sewer rate from $18 a month to $24.75.
The budget also projects spending $76,500 for water, up $12,700 from this year.
Tammy McCollum, the town’s bookkeeper, said the increase is designed to cover any additional cost of water the town may incur during the year. She said the figure is based on the cost of water the town incurred this year due to leaks in the line. The figure is also designed to cover any additional cost incurred by high water use by the town’s customers.
A public hearing and first reading of the budget will be held June 9 with second and final reading on June 23.
In other business, Mrs. Ashe reported that the town raised $110 through its community yard sale earlier this month.
The town charged $10 for space in the basketball court/parking lot across from the town hall. The money raised will go toward buying park benches or other outdoor amenities for the town.
Mrs. Ashe said the town will hold a second community yard sale on June 6. Interested persons may either call the town hall in advance or simply show up the day of the sale and pay the fee.
Council also voted unanimously to spend $350 for tar to be used to repair the roof of the old national guard armory. The armory, which is owned by the town, is being used as warehouse by a private business. Mrs. Ashe said the town will provide the tar and the tenant will be responsible for the actual repair.
Council also voted unanimously to sell the town’s old service truck.
Post a Comment
