EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS IS A CONTINUING SERIES ABOUT EACH DEPARTMENT IN THE PROPOSED 2010 CITY BUDGET.

SELMA — Members of the City Council didn’t have much to discuss when the budget item of the city’s legal department came up.

That’s because its greatest expense in the upcoming fiscal year will be the 12.5 percent pay returned to the department’s attorney and legal secretary.

Actual expenses through Aug. 31 were $94,146.46. The 2009 amended budget totaled $109,489. 17 and the proposed budget is $126,539.20.

The highest variance is in salaries and wages, $12, 728.57.

Other increased expenses are $1,000 for seminars and continuing educations and $200 for pens, pencils and other office supplies.

The return of the 12.5 percent pay depends on passage of the proposed $12 million bond issue on Oct. 27.

Most city employee salaries were cut by 12.5 percent during the last fiscal year to compensate for lagging tax revenues.

Salaries in the department include Jimmy Nunn, city attorney, $69,272.64 and Terrie Tidwell, legal secretary, $24,148.80.