Budget retreat held last Saturday

The annual budget retreat meeting was held on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. at the Public Safety Building.  Present at the meeting were Joan Gause, Kenya Wright, Lewis Hardee, Todd Harrelson, Brandon Harrelson and Damon Kempski.  Not present were Terrence Hardee and Jan Vescovi.

The 2019-20 budget considerations and requests have been analyzed and was presented for discussion with a deadline date of July 1 for presentation for the city council’s final approval for the fiscal year of 2019-20.

Harrelson, mayor pro-tem and acting mayor for the city, opened the meeting with an invocation and pledge of allegiance before discussion began.  The budget summary has a shortfall of approximately $50,000, however, Kempski stated that the city department heads will continue to work together to make the adjustments for the budget to balance.

Wright presented the figures for each department, the hospitality tax and the general funds for the year 2018-19; the police grants approved for 2018-19 in the amount of $40,006 have not been received at the date of the meeting.  The general fund, which includes part-time salaries, shows no increase; the city attorney budget was reduced by $584.  The Planning and Zoning department showed no increase in salaries, and overall costs were reduced $7,412.  The Loris Police Department shows increases in salaries to increase $17,716, other increases and decreases to the department are defined in the budget.  The Loris Fire Department asked for an overall increase of $1,158 for their budget. The Recreation Department budget decreased $4,224 from last year’s budget. The Sanitation Department salaries show an increase for the employees, increase costs for leaf and limb tipping mainly due to the storms in September and October 2018 was over budget.  The sanitation fees and contracts are reduced by $10,000.

This is a proposed budget that will be fine-tuned as it continues to remain in the discussion stages.  The final budget is not due until July 1, 2019; the administration and department heads will continue to tweak the proposals before being presented to council for a final vote.

Kempski requested an executive session before the meeting ends to discuss salaries proposed in the budget.  After a 30 minute session the meeting was adjourned with no action taken.