$2.94 M city budget approved

By Melinda L. Lucas

Financial figures for both the upcoming year and last year were significant topics during the Albany city council’s meeting on Monday, when a $2.94 million budget was adopted for fiscal year 2020-2021, and the audit was approved for 2019-2020.

The required public hearing time was allowed at the beginning of the meeting, but no one from the public had any comments.

Before the vote, city manager Billy Holson pointed out that the proposed budget included three to five percent salary increases in every department.

“That’s not a change from what you saw last month,” he said. “I just didn’t realize until later that I didn’t specifically point that out.”

Holson expects the upcoming fiscal year to end in the black, noting that the revenue projections are conservative.

The $2.94 million figure is considerably less than last year’s $3.29 million budget, primarily because of the $300,000 pilots lounge that is currently being constructed with grants and private donations at the airport.

James Waters made the motion to approve the budget in the amount of $2,936,850, which passed unanimously.

Audit Report

CPA Cameron Gulley of Eastland presented the audit for the year that ended March 31, 2019, once again citing the staff for solid accounting and commending local residents for their support of city projects.

“You did a good job of meeting your budget projections, and for the most part, everything fell right in line with what was budgeted,” said Gulley. 

He added that the city has a “healthy” fund balance, basically a year’s worth of expenditures.

“For a city your size to have that much in local funding is a testament to your citizens and is absolutely amazing,” said the accountant. “And your staff does it right because they take pride in what they do, and Billy does a good job of managing.”

There were no noncompliance issues or deficiencies in the report.

Lester Galbreath’s motion to approve the audit passed without opposition.

Other Business

•After discussion, the council members okayed a two percent rate increase for Republic Services for trash collection as a compromise to the 3.17 percent that was requested. The increase will not be added to customers’ bills at this time, Holson said.

•The May 2 election was cancelled. 

•A closed session was held for Holson’s regular evaluation and contract renewal, with no action.