News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Monterey Aldermen approved a $4.6 million budget on final reading Tuesday.
Alderman Nathan Walker said he’s happy to see the process finally come to an end.
“I’m happy that we took care of the departments that we could take care of. I’m happy that we could give the employees a little bit of a raise,” Walker said. “I look forward to moving on to the next things on our agenda, like working on the city’s pay scale.”
Tuesday’s vote of approval came two months after the board voted against the spending plan. The final budget includes a 3-cent property tax increase and a 3-percent cost of living adjustment for city employees.
Vice Mayor Starlett Wessells and Alderman Amy Martin voted against the tax increase Tuesday. Wessels previously said she couldn’t support the $1.36 tax rate.
“Property values in Monterey are going to increase with all the building and expansion going on,” Wessels said in July. “Therefore, Monterey is going to have more money to operate on. I am not for a tax increase. We need to live within our means.”
The board did vote to eliminate $42,000 from the original budget, including $12,000 for a part-time worker for Cultural Administrator Julie Bohannon. Aldermen also slashed $25,000 that was to be used as matching funds for a fire truck grant.
