Baxter Aldermen tabled a decision Tuesday night on next fiscal year’s budget as they attempt to balance revenues and expenses.
City Recorder Sharon Carlile requested that the aldermen table the decision. Mayor Danny Holmes said the aldermen continue to work to find the funds in the budget for employee raises.
“We are within $300,000 coming to a budget so hopefully we are going to look where we can cut and you know, we are like everybody else we want all of our department heads to have what they need but sometimes you have to give some of that stuff up,” Holmes said.
Holmes said he is confident that the raises for city employees will still be in the budget. Aldermen Willie Allison said the city employees do great work for the city.
“You know you sit at home and you think about all these employees and stuff and what a good job that they do for this town that people just don’t see,” Allison said. “You know the people that live in this town are so blessed to have you guys working for us.”
Holmes said one thing that has made budgeting difficult is a decline in sales tax revenue.
“I don’t know exactly the number, I do know that I think we were down last month about $40,000,” Holmes said. “That’s a lot of money.”
Holmes said he hopes to have a budget ready for approval by the next council meeting in May.
In other business, the Aldermen approved an ordinance that will rezone 306 Main Street from residential zoning to general commercial zoning.
The board approved to donate $500 to the Upperman High School Football team. Holmes said this would be for a sign that the council usually gets every year.
The city approved to amend the Title VI Policy. Carlile said this is just changing the language of the policy and is required by President Donald Trump.
