Budgets for the present and the immediate future were addressed by the McDonough City Council at its June 2 workshop meeting.
Finance director Frank Milazi reviewed the proposed general fund revenues for the 2023 fiscal year, which add up to $23,876,208. He noted that the expected increase in revenues will mean there is no need to increase taxes. The proposed expenditures also total $23,876,208 so the budget is balanced, as is required, he said.
Milazi also reviewed the 2023 proposed revenues for all city funds, including solid waste, stormwater, water service, debt service and cemetery funds. The total 2023 budget for all funds is $36,710,351.
The first public hearing required to adopt the new budget is scheduled for Monday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at City Hall. The second public hearing will be later that same day, during the regular council meeting which starts at 6 p.m.
Mayor Sandra Vincent informed the public that a copy of the entire budget would be posted to the city’s website and a hard copy would be available for review at City Hall.
Before presenting the proposed new budget, Milazi requested a budget amendment for the ongoing 2021-2022 fiscal year. The numerous listed items totaled $614,000 and adjusted the current budget from $19,373,670 to $19,987,670. The amendment was approved.
In other business, the council approved a request from the Public Works Department to purchase a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado MD Crew Cab truck with a 14-foot chipper body from Bellamy Strickland, at a total cost of $84,661. Also approved was a Technology Services request to pay $38,604 for annual maintenance of certain financial software.
A memorandum of understanding was approved between the city and Dr. Charles Evans, who will continue as the medical director for the McDonough Fire Department and its first responders under Georgia Department of Health guidelines. He will be compensated $8,004 annually according to the agreement. It was noted that he had previously provided his services without compensation since 2008.
The council allocated $11,700 for beautification and Geranium Festival-related expenses regarding the installation of 29 flower pots, as well as maintenance of the plantings from May through October of this year and similar work at the McDonough Welcome Center.
The $9,775 emergency repair of a submersible pump at Kalves’s Creek Pump Station, requested by wastewater treatment plant manager Jeremy Newton, was also approved.
