City Council member Roslyn Palmer questioned the number of new vehicles in the new budget's capital expenses. "If it's lean times, then act like it is lean times." she stated in Tuesday's Council meeting.
"The people I represent in the town, they'd cut." Ms Palmer stated. "If they needed a vehicle they would go to something that is lesser."
She suggested instead of replacing a vehicle every 2 or 3 years, then go 3 or even 4 years. Mr Hobby stated that several of the department heads are now driving vehicles that are 2005 models. He stated that vehicles are now on a 3 year rotation plan whereas in the past it was 2.
"It's the number of vehicles we buy to replace the top guy every time." She asked members why don't we start in the middle and pass those vehicles down.
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The minutes of the August 26 Budget Hearing follow.
Budget Presentation City Manager Chris Hobby was before the Mayor and City Council to present the proposed City of Bainbridge Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget. Mr. Hobby explained that the proposed budget was balanced as required by state law and that the total budgeted expenditures for the up coming fiscal year were estimated to be $30,011,973.
Mr. Hobby then proceeded to go through the budget at the division and department level highlighting major changes from the previous year and drawing attention to proposed capital outlay items.
Mr. Hobby indicated that the largest budget items were a 4.5% cost of living adjustment to the city's pay plan and the inclusion of major sewer infrastructure work which will be funded from SPLOST V and proceeds from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority loan.
Mr. Hobby indicated that the city's General Fund proposed budget was $9,537,047. Of this amount $522,620 was for capital outlay purchases.
There was some discussion from the council concerning the need for fourteen new vehicles within this fund considering the current economic conditions. Mr. Hobby explained that the city had purchased no new vehicles during FY 2008 and this year's proposal was an effort to keep the fleet current and minimalize maintenance costs.
The city's water and sewer fund has a proposed budget of $5,351,625. Mr. Hobby explained that the budget includes a rate increase in order to satisfy a requirement of the city's Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority loan which required the city to raise an additional $250,000 in fund revenue. The rate increase will cause water and sewer rates to increase fifteen cents per 1000 gallons sold. The city's base rate will increase by seventy-five cents per account. This fund has $66,800 in proposed capital outlay.
The city's Gas Fund has a proposed budget of $3,041,114. Mr. Hobby indicated that no rate increase has been included for the Gas Fund. The budget proposes to purchase $65,000 in capital items.
The Solid Waste Fund has a proposed budget of $1,918,013. The budget includes a 4.2% adjustment to solid waste rates, this increase is in keeping with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. The budget includes no capital items for the Solid Waste Fund.
Mr. Hobby spent considerable time discussing up coming projects to be funded from proceeds of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Mr. Hobby indicated that major projects for the year include
- $400,000 for street paving
- $7,698,000 in sewer projects
- $1,000,000 in recreation facilities improvements
- $300,000 as matching funds for the downtown streetscape project
- $200,000 for architectural fees associated with the city hall expansion and remodeling
- $1,029,000 for Public Safety equipment
At the conclusion of his presentation; Mr. Hobby pointed to the unified effort of the city's Division Heads and Department Managers to produce a workable and balanced budget and thanked the city's elected officials for their cooperation and participation in the process.
Mr. Hobby also informed the council that a public hearing on the budget would be held September 2, 2008. Mayor Harrell thanked Mr. Hobby and the city's division heads for their efforts and with no further business to come before the council the meeting was adjourned.
