City approves $3.48M budget

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany city council members unanimously approved the proposed budget of $3,475,400 following the required public hearing at a special session on Monday, March 28.

The city’s new fiscal year starts April 1.

There was no one from the public present to discuss the figures.

The $3.475 million figure is more than the current year’s $3.1M starting budget, but city manager Billy Holson had explained at a previous meeting that salaries for several additional employees are built in the new budget, with hopes of having enough personnel later in the year to complete at least part of the $800,000-plus designated for street repairs and other capital improvements.

The motion to adopt the 2022-2023 budget was made by Austin Sherwood, seconded by Don Taggart, with all in favor.

Other Business

•The council approved budgets for the Economic Development Corporation A/B boards of $140,000 each, based on estimates of sales tax revenue for the next year.

•Holson explained facts about the city’s weed, nuisance, and junk ordinances and said that even though he is hoping a few issues will be resolved in the near future, his priority in the spring and summer months is to keep the cemetery mowed and clean.