Woodbury Budget Passes On First Reading

For residents of the Town of Woodbury, the proposed budget for the next fiscal year offers nothing but good news.

First, there is no increase in property taxes or in water and sewer rates.

Second, there is money available to purchase various items needed to bolster services provided by the town, including two new trucks for the water department, a new patrol car for the police department, a new lawn mower for the public works department and also to finish resurfacing the tennis courts at Brown-Spurlock Park.

The budget estimates total revenue for the General Fund for 2011-2012, which begins July 1, will be $1,257,268, compared to $1,564,337 for the current fiscal year.

Total General Fund expenditures are projected to be $1,186,732, compared to $1,482,440 for 2010-2011. The town will draw $104,464 from its unreserved fund balance, leaving it with a cash balance of $1,617,298.70 on June 30, 2012.

A three percent cost-of-living adjustment for town employees is also included in the budget.

"The budget is basically the same as the one for the current fiscal year," Charlene Odom, town recorder, said. "We basically kept operating expenditures at the same level as last year."

Odom, who prepared the budget, said she anticipates the town will receive more state-shared revenue because of the census increase. She is also projecting an increase of $10,000 each in beer tax revenue and the local option sales tax.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the proposed budget on first reading Tuesday night. Passage on second reading at the Board's June meeting is needed before it becomes final.

In other business Tuesday the Board:

• Adopted Resolution 03-11, a resolution authorizing upgrades to the Bradyville pump station. No debt shall be incurred in this project without further approval of the Board of Mayor and Alderman.  The Mayor of the Town of Woodbury may approve any expenditure in the total amount of Seventy Five thousand ($75,000.00).  Approval by the Board of Mayor and Alderman is required for any payments made over Seventy Five Thousand Dollars (75,000.00).  

• Adopted Resolution 04-11, a resolution authorizing upgrades to the water treatment plant basin and backwash surge tanks. No debt shall be incurred in this project without further approval of the Board of Mayor and Alderman.  The Mayor of the Town of Woodbury may approve any expenditure in the total amount of Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($470,000.00).  Approval by the Board of Mayor and Alderman is required for any payments made over Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($470,000.00).

• Approved a parade permit for Cannon County Good Ole Days for May 21, 2011

• Approved a parade permit for Cannon County Veterans Days for November 12, 2011