In addition to approving the city’s tax-levy rate, the Glasgow Board of Aldermen discussed the proposed budget for FY 2019-20.
According to unofficial minutes, the budget that indicates $1,391,150 of revenues and $1,495,576 of expenses was presented. The $104,426 projected deficit includes spending of some reserves from the library and museum funds for much-needed repairs and upgrades. A projected $83,590 deficit in the P & I Fund will be lessened by an increase in water/sewer rates later this year.
Some concern was expressed about the cost of the health-care plan for employees, as well as concern about the city’s final cost for the pool. The budget will be watched closely and updated quarterly. The board voted to approve the budget.
In other news, a discussion concerning water-meter readings and billings was held. Alderman Aaron Gouge explained a concern about the water billing being estimated for three months due to the lack of city workers to read water meters. The meters were read manually the following month, which caused many water bills to be much higher than the previous months. Alderman Chris Damron said that the aldermen need to make sure that this does not happen again, and that there should be more than one employee available at all times to read the water meters in the future.