Monterey Continues Operating Under Old Budget

The City of Monterey will continue to operate under last year’s budget.

Mayor Bill Wiggins said the board approved a continuing budget resolution during Monday’s board of mayor and aldermen meeting.

The City of Monterey will continue to operate under the old budget. (File Photo)

“Let me look at my crystal ball, this resolution tonight was sort of a formality but with the State of Tennessee,” Wiggins said. “If the budget is not in the Comptroller’s Office by July 1st it is automatically under a continuing resolution. This was just a formality tonight.”

The board voted against the third and final reading of the new budget last month. Wiggins said the board will operate under the continuing resolution until the board signs off on the 2019-2020 spending plan.

“[It can continue] into the fall if the board chooses, but bear in mind, periodic raises that were supposed to be effective today are on hold,” Wiggins said. “Any equipment or any addition to the budget this year, can’t do those. So we are operating under the old budget and that money.”

The board will host a work session on July 8 to discuss the $4.7 million budget proposal.

“The public is invited it is an open meeting, there will be no parliamentary procedure,” Wiggins said. “But I am assuming that they will hash out their perception of the budget for the upcoming year.”

The finance committee recommended the budget earlier this year. The board previously approved the budget on first reading and second reading.