Warren Ways and Means Committee members met Thursday in an attempt to finalize the 2023 city budget but the meeting ended with several unanswered questions.
Several items were discussed but no recommendations were made, instead deferring action to the full council. The committee consists of Chairwoman Dorothy Henderson and Alderwomen Memory Frazer and Emily Moseley.
Mayor Denisa Pennington, Mayor-elect Gregg Reep and Bradley County Economic Development Corp. Chairman Dr. Bob Smalling were also present.
“By Dec. 1, by law, the mayor has to present a budget,” Pennington said. Preliminary budget figures will be presented at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting but several contracts must be decided upon before a final budget will be ready. The council has until February to adopt a budget. If none is adopted before the end of the year, the city will operate under the current budget.
Among the items discussed were:
- All city workers will be considered for a 2 percent salary increase. That would exclude council members, although Henderson indicated the exclusion could be reconsidered.
- A total of $60,000 would be recommended for two police cars including equipment.
- For Westside pool, $30,000 was to be set aside for repairs and renovation. The City may seek grant funding to help.
- Street repair funds were considered in the amount of $400,000. There was discussion of using American Rescue Funds for this budgetary item.
- Consideration was given to turning over the old Street Department building to the Warren Water and Sewer Department. If that was done, the Water and Sewer Department would provide $12,800 in roof work and take over utility bills for the building.
- Contracts were considered for Bradley County Historical Museum, $2,000; Area Agency on Aging, $2,000; Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, $10,000; BCEDC, $20,000; and Bradley County Chamber of Commerce, $20,000. BCEDC and the Chamber were not funded in the current year’s budget.
- Demolition of the Bryant’s Building was considered. “The council will have to make a decision on how to proceed,” Henderson said.
Pennington reminded committee members that the 2022 budget was not passed until the January meeting. She said final budget figures for next year couldn’t be prepared until the contractual obligations are settled. The city also has about $900,000 in federal stimulus funds that have not been allocated by the council yet.
The Ways and Means Committee will discuss these items and others at the December Council meeting. They hope to propose a final 2023 City budget before the end of the year.
