Monticello Budget Explained

The Monticello City Council held a public hearing Tuesday evening for a review of the proposed budget for FY 2010 (July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010). Only two citizens showed up for the meeting, and one of those was there for a reason other than the budget.

There were only minor changes since their meeting last week. The bottom line is still $8,299,801 compared to FY 2009 estimated budget of $9,706,061, representing a decrease of $1,406,260. Even with an increase in water and sewer rates, the budget still had to be trimmed to include no salary increases, four and one-half positions cut, elimination of the Better Home Town Program, and other cuts.

Mayor Glenn Newsome said, “This is a very lean budget. It can be changed next week when we vote on it, but anything we add to spending will have to be cut from services.”
{{more}}
The Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 23, for a final vote on the budget. Mayor Pro Tem Russell Gross and Councilwoman Katherine Alexander cannot be present at that meeting, but a quorum can be reached if Councilmen Bobby Jacobs and Bryan Standifer and Councilwoman Mollie Pompey are present.

If no quorum is reached, City Manager Bob Schwartz said a budget continuing resolution could be passed and allow the budget to be passed at the Council’s regular meeting on July 14. Also, a work session was scheduled for July 6 concerning other matters.

The council voted unanimously to set the city’s millage rate at 6.41, the same as last year.

The council unanimously approved the appointment of Jill Dyer to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), however they are still searching for candidates to fill two other open positions.

Also, Mr. Schwartz presented the council with a financial plan from the DDA, which included the refinancing of two bank loans that would pay all vendors and past due bills. The council agreed to vote on the plan at their next regular meeting, but indicated they wanted to see a record of DDA’s cash flow first.

The council voted unanimously to award an audit contract at a cost not to exceed $19,000 to Wright and Wright, P.C., of Sandersville, the same firm which has done the audit the past two years. There was discussion about putting audit services out to bid next year.