$2.94 M city budget proposed
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany city manager Billy Holson proposed a balanced budget of $2,936,850 at Monday’s regular meeting of the city council, and elected officials expect to approve the budget at a March 9 session following the required public hearing.
Carolyn Waller presided over the meeting in the absence of mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery, who was ill.
Budget Proposal
The $2.94 million proposed figure is considerably less than last year’s $3.29 million budget, primary because of the $300,000 pilots lounge that is currently being constructed at the municipal airport.
Holson explained that although the lounge is being built with grants and private donations, it still had to be shown in the 2019-2020 budget.
“We’ve asked the public for a lot of money for the airport over the last few years, and we want them to know that we appreciate it,” said Holson, who added that the city won’t continue with the next phase at the airport for at least a year.
The city manager stated that the only other major change in the proposed figures is in capital outlay.
“If we have extra money, that’s where it will go, but I didn’t put a lot on street repair this time for a couple of reasons,” he said. “Money definitely needs to be spent on streets, but right now, we don’t have it.”
He added that although local personnel is capable of doing most of the repair work themselves, and it’s much more cost effective to do it that way, manpower is currently limited.
There was no action on the proposed budget except to set the budget hearing for 7:00 p.m. on March 9.
Other Business
•Joe Spano from Republic Services requested a 3.17 percent rate increase for trash collection, but council members opted to wait until the March meeting to make a decision.
•The council decided officially to honor Albany mayor Rodney Alexander, who died unexpectedly in late December, at a “date and location to be decided later.”
•A formal resolution to change the water meter charges at Top Hand RV Park was adopted, following action taken in January.
•Another resolution passed authorizing the city to continue participation with the Atmos Cities Steering Committee at a cost of about $100 annually.
•The city election was ordered for May 2.
