The Milton City Council agreed on Feb. 2 to cut more than $357,000 from the 2010 budget. This decision was made to minimize some of the city’s deficit, prevent depleting the city’s reserve funds and to balance the budget.
The city’s projected revenue this year is more than $3.9 million. However, expenses are estimated to total more than $4.6 million. This will leave Milton with a deficit of more than $641,000.
To pay off this debt, the city planned to use some of the $992,000 left in the general fund balance and/or money from reserve funds, Finance Director Maria Pierce explained. She noted that the budget cuts should lessen the impact to the general fund’s ending balance.
The largest cuts will come from keeping one police officer and one firefighter position vacant for a combined savings of $174,230, postponing a police sergeant promotion ($20,000), and not retaining additional clerical pool positions for the city ($20,000). The council also discussed the possibility of citywide furloughs for at least 12 weeks ($42,000). The furloughs would exclude the city’s public safety sector.
Discussions became heated when they shifted toward permanently filling the city administrator position, which would cost the city more than $90,000 per year. Interim City Administrator Connie Fessler’s service contract expired last month.
“We can’t afford to pay for another body for no real reason,” Council-member Bob Whalen said.
Councilmember Jim Heddlesten argued that he would rather spend money in other areas throughout the city.
“I would rather fill the vacant police position,” Heddlesten said. “I just don’t think it’s (city administrator) a good, economical position to fill.”
Some pointed out the importance of an administrator and it’s potential to help the city through the volatile economic climate.
“If we don’t have an administrator, who will do the extra work and who will be a liaison for the council?” Mayor Katrina Asay asked council members. “We can continue to limp along, but there are major problems ahead for the city.”
Commenting rules
Milton-Edgewood Signal is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:
Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.
Read full commenting rules