The McDonough City Council met Monday evening, August 20, with an opening statement from Mayor Billy Copeland that showed his determination to keep McDonough in sound financial condition.

  For the year ending June 30, 2012, the City ended up with revenues over expenditures in the amount of $872,027 (without any audited adjustments). The Mayor wished to transfer $654,000 (75%), to the fund balance rather than use it for salaries and other expenses. Copeland stated that his ultimate goal was to reach a fund balance of $5,000,000 that would keep the City solvent for six months in the case of a financial or other major catastrophe. If this amount were to be added, it would give McDonough a 2¼ month reserve.

  However, there are 7 new positions requested for the City of McDonough that would be using these funds and increasing the number of positions in the City to 169, an increase of 19% in two years.

  “I am certainly in favor of these new positions and my feelings have nothing to do with them or any persons,” said Copeland. “I have only requested that we wait until the next fiscal year for funding these to allow us to place more funds in our fund balance and make our City more financially secure. To increase our personnel percentage 19% in just two years is a lot to do during these economic times.”  

  Copeland did stipulate that McDonough is doing better financially than many other cities. He mentioned that in talking with other Mayors and Council members around the state that we are one of the few to not currently be laying off any employees, reducing work hours or schedule any furlough days.

  “However, while I am proud that we are on a fairly sound financial footing, I believe that we must continue to temper ourselves,” Copeland continued. “Even though this budget has been completed and approved, I am here tonight to make my 2012-2013 budget comments and reports a part of tonight’s minutes.”