April 6, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECATUR CITY COUNCIL APPROVES BUDGET
DECATUR – The Decatur City Council on Monday approved a city budget that is $16.7 million less than last year, a reduction made possible through significant cuts in spending, the number of city employees and transfers that were necessary to help fill a projected $4.5 million deficit.
The Council voted 6-1 in favor of the budget after two months of discussion and sessions designed to solicit public input. The total net budget approved on Monday is $124.45 million dollars, compared to a net budget of $141.2 just last year and the city has spent the last 12-18 months working to reduce spending in a number of areas.
The number of city employee positions will have been reduced by 51 through attrition, programs and layoffs with the budget approved Monday including the layoff of up to 7 employees. The actual total could change depending upon the number of affected workers who choose to “bump” other employees as per terms of labor contracts, who might retire or who find other employment prior to a potential layoff.
The upcoming budget will provide funding of $240,000 to the Decatur Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau – the same as last year. Funding to the Senior Center will be reduced by $3,000 and the actual new fund distribution to the Decatur Municipal Band will be reduced by $15,000 next fiscal year.
However, the municipal band over the last several years has made an effort to reduce its spending and has not utilized some $14,000 in city funding which will be available for band use in the coming year. That means that the band will have $74,000 in funds available to spend, about $1,000 less than last year.
The city’s new fiscal year begins May 1, 2010. For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.