The Euharlee City Council on Tuesday will hold a special called meeting with the 2011 budget being the focus.
During the 6:30 p.m. gathering, a second reading of the proposed 2011 budget is scheduled, along with a first reading of the proposed 2011 budget for the Euharlee Police Department and Municipal Court. The council’s regular monthly meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
According to City Manager Trish Sullivan, the 2011 budget, while slightly less than 2010, is based on actual expenditures rather than projected figures.
At $1,370,216.93, the 2011 total is roughly $2,000 less than 2010’s $1,372,353.33. Passed in February 2010, last year’s budget came in 5 percent higher than 2009.
Like 2010, the 2011 proposed budget includes pay raises for all city employees. Last month, Sullivan said the raises will be “more than covered” because the city expects to come in under budget and because the numbers are based on actual figures through the first of November.
Among those areas where the budget changed:
• The parks allotment increased 77 percent from $17,090 to $30,290.
• Conservation/inspection saw a 77 percent decrease, dropping from $11,761.80 to $2,725.
• Code enforcement was also cut from $7,520.36 to $4,775, or 37 percent.
• A 51 percent increase was made to the seniors budget — from $2,706.56 to $4,100.
• Planning and zoning was slashed 29 percent, going from $31,965.48 to $22,725.
In December, Sullivan said revenue, most of which comes from Local Option Sales Tax, had remained consistent and had been aided by the addition of the Dollar General store.
During the regular meeting, the council is expected to vote on the proposed budget.
Also Tuesday, the council will:
• Hear information on the library investment account from Sullivan.
• Receive a presentation on the Community Master Plan from Sullivan and Planning and Zoning Administrator Ron Goss Jr.
• Hear an event planner update and presentation from Tom Shinall. During the December council meeting, the subject of the event planner arose.
In 2010, the budget listed a special projects coordinator at a rate of $22,880. For 2011, the budget has allotted $14,300 for the position. Members of the council said they would rather have those funds used for a part-time administrative position than the events coordinator. The front office of city hall, which is currently closed on Friday, would be manned by that position, if created, for roughly six hours per day.
• Discuss proposed dates for KCBS Cook-Off.
There also was talk in the December meeting of eliminating or changing the events hosted by the city. The council expressed their desire to hear from the public about the happenings most desired by residents.