Howardwick sets budget for FY 2019

The Howardwick City Council approved a $194,491 budget for fiscal year 2019 during its regular meeting last Tuesday, September 11.

The budget, which is lower than the current $214,731 budget, includes reductions of about $25,000 in maintenance salaries, more than $3,000 more money for the fire department than currently budgeted, more money for code enforcement, and more than $6,000 additional expenses in the general administration budget.

Other action taken at last week’s meeting included a motion to approve joining a cooperative through the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission to help collect past due bills from former residents.

Aldermen discussed requesting the fire department to clean up old tires behind City Hall. A motion was approved giving the department two months to clean that up.

The council debated allowing the fire department access to City Hall for its monthly meetings. Access was granted by the council in December, but Mayor Greta Byars and City Secretary Sandra Childress advocated changing that to have the department meet at the community building in the park.

During that discussion, the security of city records was brought up. Alderman Johnny Floyd suggested needing to find a better way to secure records. A motion was made and seconded to allow the department to continue meeting at City Hall, but that motion was later withdrawn as it was determined to be unnecessary.

The council also engaged in a lengthy debate over the number and limit of credit cards carried by the fire department for fuel. The council ultimately voted to limit the department to three cards, down from the current six, and to set the credit limit at $2,000.
According to budget figures, the fire department spent less than $1,200 total on fuel so far in fiscal year 2018.

Aldermen debated and then voted to keep the roll-off trash box at City Hall for metal.

Ordinance 113 was approved as presented, raising prices for the city mowing lots and also setting dates for the mowing season.
Bids were considered for work required on City Hall by the state fire marshal’s office. A bid from Lane’s Plumbing & Electric was approved for electrical work to be completed by December 31.

Officials announced that a public hearing will be held on October 9 at 6:30 p.m., prior to the regular city meeting, to allow PRPC to discuss what services it can offer to the city.

The council then met in closed session before returning to open session to hire a part time employee and giving the maintenance employee an increase in salary.