“We really did not inflate anything,” McKay said. “Whatever we did last year, we’re trying to do again.”
The proposed general fund budget is expected to generate $1.53 million in revenue, while expenditures are expected to total $1.38 million.
Councilman Mike Sheffield, who oversees the financial department, said the city probably would break even with this budget.
“We are not able to budget more than 90 percent of our revenue,” Sheffield said. “We ran the numbers as hard as we could.”
The budget for the Water and Sewer Department is where Ashville hopes it can keep its head above water.
Projected revenue for the department is $668,000, while anticipated expenditures total $534,000.
“I feel very confident with this budget,” McKay said. “Mike (Sheffield), Bertha Wilson and I worked three different days on this budget. We really held it down. Insurance for employees is going up 3.2 percent, and the city is going to absorb that cost. We’re giving everyone his or her longevity pay this year. We would like to think that things will turn around next year and we can help everyone financially. I think it has been a success story just keeping everyone working.”
McKay said the extra Water and Sewer Department revenue would keep everybody working for the city of Ashville.
“We will make enough money in the water department to overcome what we’re losing with the city in general,” McKay said. “Tax revenues are not flowing. The water department will make money and keep the city up.”
In other business, the council;
• Reappointed Charles Tipton, Coy Lee Bothwell and Bernice Fomby to the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
• Declared various equipment surplus property and made a motion to advertise in the local newspaper. Bids will be opened at the Nov. 15 council meeting.
• Approved a $1,750 match to the Ashville City Library to get a $7,000 grant.
• Approved the previous minutes.
• Approved the payment of due bills.
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
