Council approves budget, website proposal
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany city council members approved an amended budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and set a time for a budget workshop on March 4 to look at figures for the start of the upcoming year, which is April 1, 2025.
The council also approved a proposal to build a city website and moved next month’s regular meeting time to Monday, March 17 in order not to conflict with spring break plans.
Amended Budget
An amended budget presented by city manager Billy Holson showed $3,959,850 in revenues, which is more than the $3,652,300 original budget that was adopted a year ago.
However, Holson noted that there are some important differences in the budget numbers.
Total revenue was up about $303,000 from what was projected for the year, with almost all of that in donations ($292,000) and memorials/honorariums ($3,000).
“It’s hard to hit that number (projected revenue), but with the exception of the donations, we were within about $5,000,” Holson said.
On the expenditure side, the amended budget totaled $3,741,650, a difference of almost $90,000 over the original projection. Again, a good percentage of that was offset by the departments that received donations, but Holson commented that capital outlay expenditures were up, as well as the solid waste department.
“We are very fortunate in Albany,” Holson said. “There is so much support for this city.”
The amended budget was approved unanimously on a motion by Austin Sherwood, seconded by Don Taggart.
The council will meet March 4 at 7:00 p.m. to work on the new budget, which will be approved later in March, then start April 1 with the city’s new fiscal year.
City Website
Holson recommended that the city accept a proposal from Western Trail Media to build a website for the City of Albany.
“The staff has looked at several options,” Holson said. “This proposal is local, and the price is good compared to the others. We have piggybacked with the Chamber website, but I think it’s time for us to have our own.”
The proposal includes a one-time development fee of $500 and an annual cost of $1,750.
City staff will be able to perform updates, manage content, and utilize website features, the proposal said.
The recommendation was approved on a motion by Lester Galbreath, seconded by Sherwood.
Other Business
•Mayor Susan Montgomery commended city police chief Mike House, who was present at the meeting, along with all county law enforcement who assisted in the manhunt for an armed suspect two weeks ago. “It was handled in a very professional way, and I have heard only good comments,” Montgomery said.
•House presented the required annual Racial Profiling Report for the police department. The chief said that the numbers have been consistent over the past few years, which is the desired result.
•Jacob Cleveland gave a report for the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, commenting that there are 23 active members on the roster. The department assisted with a major wreck Feb. 7 and with the Jan. 28 manhunt, as well as the subsequent search for the weapon. Cleveland also said that a 1990 model vehicle had been sold and a brush truck purchased.
•Montgomery asked for direction from council members about how the city should handle getting information out about emergency situations, specifically incidents like the manhunt two weeks ago. There were several suggestions, with the planned website a possible way of communicating with Albany citizens.
•In other action, an election was called for May 3.
