The Union Board of Aldermen adopted a 2020 fiscal budget that projects revenues of $1,292,750 and expenses totaling $1,390,100 without an increase in taxes.
The slight shortfall will be made up in carry over surpluses from previous years.
They did move, however, to take 1-mill of taxes away from the Library fund and move it to the city’s general fund budget.
The city contributes $10,000 a year to the Kemper-Newton Regional Library System and there is currently about $30,000 in the account.
“We have enough to take care of any repairs this year,” said Mayor Wayne Welch, “and, we will still be able to make our annual contribution.”
By moving the one mill over to the general fund, Union residents will not see an increase in their current 35-mill rate.
Alderman Stanley Walker didn’t bring the issue to a vote in Thursday evening’s meeting, but said he was in favor of cutting the Aldermen’s monthly pay from $400 to $300.
“It’s something I think we should do,” he said.
The general fund will get 29 mills of the tax burden, the Kemper-Newton Regional Library system gets 1 and 5 mills are being used to repay loans for street improvements.
City Clerk Cheryl Chaney’s estimates show that the new budget anticipates a $12,000 decrease in revenues from the previous year.
As usual, the two biggest revenue producers are expected to be sales taxes ($300,000) and property taxes ($320,000).
And, as always salaries take most of the city’s expenditures: with $400,000 in the police depart leading the way.
Unkempt properties still on the agenda
In their continuing struggle to compel owners to keep their property clean, the aldermen’s discussions centered on two areas last Tuesday.
The discussion began with a planned hearing with Ruth Maiden at 105 Union Street. Ms Maiden did not attend, and, the property has been on the agenda off and on for the past two years.
Alderman Rex Germany seemed ready to pull the trigger on stronger action, but after hearing a plea from Mrs. Myrtis Everett who claimed her son, who lives in Missouri, wanted to buy and repair the property, he relented and extended the hearing until the October meeting.
She said he would need a year to a year and half to make the necessary fixes.
Neighbor Casey McElhenney pleaded with board to take some action. “It will be a big job to fix that property. It’s a health hazard. And, I don’t think it’s a hazard we should have to live with for a year and half,” he said.
Germany also addressed what he said was a problem at 414 South Decatur St. He said he wanted to schedule a public hearing with owner Brad Capps.
“It’s just a rat’s nest. I would like to do it like we are doing other property.”
In other business, the aldermen:
• Accepted a bid of $153,977 for improvements and upgrades to the County Line Water System, which Union supplies.
Most of the cost is being paid through a state-awarded Community Development Block Grant Program. Welch said the city’s portion of the cost would be in the $65,000 to $70,000 range.
The low bidder was Red Oak Construction, headquartered in Wesson.
The improvements include booster station upgrades, the addition of a 30,000 gallon water tank, and distribution improvements along CR 270.
• Heard a report from Police Chief Billy Pat Walker that the renovation of the city-owned building at the south end of Bank St. into the new police station was continuing.
Walker didn’t give any estimated date of its completion, but requested and received an additional $2,000 appropriation for painting the outside walls.
• Walker also gave a rundown of the mileage and condition of each of police department’s vehicles and said that in the coming fiscal year, he felt that it would necessary to purchase at least one new cruiser.
• Passed a resolution commending Andy Ogletree for his historic win of the United States Amateur Golf Championship at Pinehurst (North Carolina) Country Club.
Ogletree, a 2016 Union High School graduate and Senior at Georgia Tech, bested a field of 7,109 golfers from across the US to win the most prestigious amateur tournament in the country.
• Authorized Police Chief Walker to attend the annual Crimestopper’s convention.
