City Council talks putting money into unappropriated funds
Published 8:40 pm Monday, September 10, 2018
The Selma City Council recommended moving money into unappropriated funds at its budget hearing Monday at City Hall.
The entire council was present for the fourth meeting about the 2018-2019 fiscal budget, which officially starts on Oct. 1. Their deadline to complete a proposed $17.7 million budget is Sept. 30.
Cutting from planning and development and Public Building were on the agenda. The amount totaled over $100,000 to get put into unappropriated funds, which would be spent if the city needs the money.
Under the plan, Planning and development would get cut $65,000 and $85,000 trimmed from public building maintenance.
Council President Corey Bowie believes moving into unincorporated funds will make the council fiscally responsible.
“We’re cutting as we go along,” Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said. “At the end of the day, we want to put the money in unappropriated funds. We’ll find out what departments really need.”
The council will look into changing the Parks and Recreation Department, which has over a combined $20,000 in salaries given to a complex supervisor and part-time secretary. The Parks and Recreation Director earns over $49,000.
“They hadn’t had a secretary in years, no one wants to go to that mess,” Councilman Sam Randolph said.
Councilman Michael Johnson said Parks and Recreation deserves to have a full-time person before cutting the position.
Councilman John Leashore urged his council mates to have all I’s dotted and T’s crossed.
“Let’s make sure we have accountability,” Leashore said. “We need to make a list of things we’re cutting.”
Councilman Carl Bowline continues to advocate on finding money to improve both Public Safety and Public Works. The Selma Police Department is part of public safety.
“We need to make the public safety and public works departments stronger,” Bowline said.
Selma Fire Chief Toney Stevens attended the meeting, but isn’t allowed to discuss the budget. Last week, Mayor Darrio Melton sent a memorandum to the city council about referring all questions about the budget to him.
The City Council meeting will be on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The next budget hearing will be Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall.