March 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decatur City Council Set for Budget Vote Next Week
DECATUR - The public was encouraged to take a look the significant amount of work that will be performed during the next fiscal year even in the face of significant budget cuts and dismal economic conditions during the final Decatur City Council budget study session Monday.
City Manager Ryan McCrady urged residents to focus on the fact that the City will purchase $1.4 million in necessary equipment — potentially from local vendors — and put forth a minimum of $26 million in capital investments next year without the need to borrow or raise taxes to do so. Comparing the city’s situation to other local communities, he complemented the city council for being prepared and for having been willing to make some tough financial decisions over the years which will allow the city to provide ongoing community improvements while putting a significant number of people to work in the process.
During Monday night’s study session the council heard from several organizations outside city government for which it has been proposed that funding be reduced or which requested new funding from the city next fiscal year. The council agreed informally to:
- Increase the Decatur Police Department budget by about $95,000 to cover the estimated cost of supplies and training.
- Provide $15,000 to the Decatur Sister Cities Program.
- Reduce funding to City Centre Decatur from $50,000 to $25,000.
Both the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Corporation will also see reductions in funding next year. The EDC provided a letter to the city expressing understanding of the situation and the DACVB expressed an interest in coming up with a definite plan for tourism and securing a stable source of funding for it in the coming months.
There was no vote on the budget Monday night as the discussions were held during a study session. A public budget hearing has been scheduled for Monday, April 6 after which the city council is expected to vote on the city’s 2009/2010 annual budget.
Monday’s budget study session was the fifth public session held this month. For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.