Danielsville budget down 20% in 2010

With the mill rate approved at 2.85 mills, the council unanimously voted to approve the general fund budget at $382,505 in revenues and expenses for 2010, which is down approximately 20 percent from the 2009 budget. The water fund budget is also down, with the total revenue and expenses at $417,020 for 2010, down from $523,905 for 2009.

Due to a shortfall in revenue, the council has trimmed expenses, most significantly by furloughing all city employees two days per month, beginning in January, which is estimated to cut $60,922 from the overall budget.

Also Dec. 7, city clerk Connie Riley administered the oath of office to Mayor-elect Philip Croya and new council members Jamie Spurlin and Ron Faust. Croya defeated long-time mayor Glenn Cross in November, and Spurlin and Faust were elected without opposition.

The three newly-elected officials will begin their two-year terms on Jan. 1.

In a separate matter, the council agreed to amend the work schedule of temporary officer Steve Gary while police chief Rodney Christian is on vacation from Dec. 18 – Jan. 4. They also agreed to table a decision on hiring for the vacant position until January, when Christian returns from vacation. Chief Christian commended officer Gary for his work, saying that Gary knows the city and is “doing a good job,” including helping to stem loitering and skateboarding on sidewalks. The council agreed to table a fine schedule ordinance amendment for the police department until next month.

In other business, the council approved beer and wine licenses for Danielsville Beer and Wine, Danielsville BP, Danielsville Corner Store and the Golden Pantry. Royal Food Store, which did not submit the required paperwork on time, will be issued a permit at the council’s Jan. 4 meeting. The council noted that no alcohol sales will be allowed there Jan. 1–4.

The council also agreed to reset its bi-monthly pay schedules so that they will be paid at the end, rather than at the beginning, of the two-month pay cycle.

The council voted to hire county engineer Phil Munro to perform a cost evaluation site enhancement for $5,800 on the city’s wastewater pond. Merk made the motion to hire Munro, saying that he not only had the lowest of the three bids received, but that he is an “in-county” person.