News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Byrdstown employees will receive a dollar raise next fiscal year as a part of the town’s new budget.
The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved the first reading of the proposed $1.2 million budget Monday. Mayor Sam Gibson said other than the pay raise, the spending plan is similar to last year.
“The budgets look good,” Gibson said. “We have our general fund and general and water are our two big ones. Then we have fire department and streets and so fourth, but overall, everything looks good this year.”
Gibson said a regular increase of water rates for both city and county customers by three percents is also included. Gibson said this is done each year to keep the budget balanced.
“The Comptroller’s Office requires us to have a budget that is above water,” Gibson said. “A couple of years ago we were a little bit under, but ever since then we have got it under control.”
The town’s general fund sits at about $900,000. Gibson said the line has grown significantly over the years, and it is now the time to spend some of that money on paving.
“The things you see in Byrdstown come from the general fund,” Gibson said. “The majority of that comes from our state sales tax that we get. We use that money to do things like repaving roads and striping of streets.”
Other budgeted purchases include a new water tank at the water plant for about $50,000 and allocations for water lines at Eagle Cove. Gibson said no new positions positions are included in the budget.
Gibson said a slight decrease in sales tax is also expected with the budget estimating about $300,000. Gibson said last year about $345,000 was budgeted. The second reading of the budget will occur on June 28th.
